System and method for treating individual seeds with liquid chemicals during the planting process

ABSTRACT

A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/000,571 filed Aug. 28, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/872,932 filed May 12, 2020, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/981,289 filed May 16, 2018,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/508,145filed on May 18, 2017.

The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/598,937 filed Oct. 10, 2019, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 16/112,660, filed Aug. 25, 2018, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,470,356.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660 is a continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/107,374, filed Aug. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,251,337, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,652filed Jun. 23, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,064,327, which claims benefitsof a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,555 filed Jul. 3,2015.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660 filed Aug. 25, 2018 is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/981,289 filed May16, 2018, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/508,145 filed May 18, 2017, and is a continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/614,547, filed Jun. 5, 2017, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/521,908, filed Oct.23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, which is a continuation in partof patent application Ser. No. 14/468,973, filed Aug. 26, 2014, andclaims benefits of a U.S. Provisional U.S. Application No. 61/870,667,filed Aug. 27, 2013, and claims benefits of U.S. Provisional U.S.Application No. 61/895,803, filed Oct. 25, 2013, and said U.S.application Ser. No. 15/614,547 claims benefits of a U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/346,377, filed Jun. 6, 2016.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660 filed Aug. 25, 2018 is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/816,792, filed Nov.17, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/521,908, filed Oct. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/468,973, filed Aug.26, 2014, which claims benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/870,667, filed Aug. 27, 2013, and said U.S. application Ser. No.14/521,908 claims benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/895,803, filed Oct. 25, 2013, and claims benefits of a U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/048,628, filed Sep. 10, 2014.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660, filed Aug. 25, 2018 is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/614,547, filed Jun.5, 2017, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/521,908, filed Oct. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,431, filed Oct.23, 2014, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/468,973, filed Aug. 26, 2014.

U.S. application Ser. No. 16/112,660, filed Aug. 25, 2018, which is acontinuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/208,605, filed Jul.13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,058,023.

The entire contents of Ser. Nos. 16/872,932, 15/981,289, 62/508,145,16/598,937, 16/112,660, 16/107,374, 15/190,652, 62/188,555, 15/614,547,14/521,908, 14/468,973, 61/870,667, 61/895,803, 62/346,377, 15/816,792,62/048,628, 15/208,605 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to agricultural productdispensing systems; and, more particularly to systems for treatingindividual seeds with liquid agricultural input products during thecourse of planting the seeds.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are several ways to dispense at-plant liquid and/or granuleproducts in or near the furrow while planting, where planting isgenerally defined as placing seed into a furrow in the soil and thenclosing the furrow in order to provide adequate seed-to-soil contact.Historically, in-furrow applications of liquid agricultural inputs havebeen directed into, adjacent to, or on top of a closed or covered seedfurrow via a pumping system with the goal of applying a continuousstream or flow of liquid at a constant or consistent application ratethroughout the entire length of the furrow. The objective of mostin-furrow or at-plant liquid agricultural input product applications isto ensure a biologically efficacious rate or quantity of the appliedproduct is available in sufficiently close proximity to each seed toenable the seed or seedling to benefit from the applied product. (Aseedling is defined as the early form of living plant product thatresults from a seed. When moisture, light, and temperature conditionsare correct, a seedling's development begins with seed germination andthe formation of three main parts:

A) Radicle, or an embryonic root,

B) Hypocotyl, or an embryonic shoot, and

C) Cotyledons, the initial seedling or “seed leaves” that nourish theradicle and hypocotyl until such time as photosynthesis begins.)

In some of the most widely produced crops such as corn, soybeans, andcotton, in-furrow liquid products are frequently applied at rates thatare equal to or greater than 5 gallons of applied liquid per acre. Theliquid product that's directed into, adjacent to, or on top of a closedor covered furrow might consist of primarily water, where the water isused as dilutant to facilitate application of an agricultural crop inputsuch as an insecticide, nematicide, fungicide, inoculant, plant growthstimulant, plant growth regulator, or nutritional/plant food product.Other types of products not listed here might also be applied in thismanner while planting. Similarly, liquid fertilizer products such as 28%or 32% UAN liquid nitrogen, or other liquid fertilizer products might beapplied in a similar manner, where the liquid fertilizer product isapplied alone or in combination with different types of agriculturalcrop inputs, such as have already been described. In some croppingsituations, liquid fertilizer products might be used in place of wateras the dilutant or carrier for other crop inputs of the types or kindsdescribed previously in this paragraph, while in yet other scenarios,the liquid fertilizer might be mixed or diluted with water. It's alsocommon for various types or kinds of non-liquid agricultural crop inputsas described previously, to be added to or mixed with water, liquidfertilizer, various ratio combinations of water and liquid fertilizer,or various other dilutants or liquid carriers in order to facilitate ormake possible the application of a non-liquid product with a liquidapplication device. This is can be accomplished by dissolving thenon-liquid product into the liquid dilutant or carrier fluid that willbe applied while planting, or by suspending small particles of thenon-dissolved non-liquid product in the liquid dilutant or carrier fluidthat's being applied during the planting process. In order fornon-dissolved small particles to be applied while suspended in theliquid dilutant or carrier fluid, the suspended particles must be smallenough to pass through the pumping device and any filters or screensthat are part of the application apparatus.

In all of the aforedescribed scenarios, a continuous stream or flow ofliquid is delivered to the soil at a constant or consistent applicationrate throughout or along the entire furrow length. Common applicationrates are 5 gallons per acre of liquid or greater, but some liquidproducts might be applied at lower per acre rates. However, it becomesdifficult for the applied products to deliver the intended or desiredbiological efficacy as the applied quantity of liquid decreases muchbelow the described 5 gallons per acre rate. This is due to theinability of most at-plant, in-furrow liquid application systems todeliver a consistent or uniform volume throughout or along the entirefurrow length at application volumes less than 5 gallons per acre.

As further background, additional information is provided as to themeaning of the phrase 5 gallons per acre. One square acre consists of43,560 square feet of surface area. Liquid, at-plant, in-furrow productsare not applied to the entire surface area of the acre into which seedare planted. The surface area of soil that is actually subject to beingwetted by the application of an at-plant, in-furrow liquid product isonly a fraction of the total soil area within the planted acre. Theactual surface area of soil that gets wetted by the applied liquidproduct might vary from less than one inch wide if the applicationnozzle or orifice is directed in a manner that restricts deposition ofthe liquid directly into the seed furrow, up to an area of perhaps sixinches wide if the application nozzle or orifice is directed in a mannerthat distributes the applied liquid volume in a spray band that'sapplied to the top of a closed or covered furrow. Therefore, while it iscommon to describe liquid application rates in terms of gallons peracre, perhaps a more accurate method is to describe application rates interms of fluid ounces per foot of row length. The following is anexample of how to convert gallons per acre application rates into fluidounces per foot of row length.

If a crop is planted in rows, with a distance between each row of 30inches, there are 17,424 linear row feet in that acre. The number oflinear row feet is calculated by first converting the 30-inch distancebetween rows, into feet. 30 inches divided by 12 inches per foot, yieldsan answer of 2.5 feet between rows. 43,560 square feet per acre dividedby 2.5 feet row distance between rows yields 17,424 linear row feet inthat acre. Row spacing of 24 inches means there are 21,780 linear rowfeet in an acre, while row spacing of 36 inches means there are 14,520linear feet per acre. As demonstrated, the distance between the plantedcrop rows affects the linear row feet in an acre of planted cropland. Ifthe desired or intended application rate of a liquid, at-plant,in-furrow product is 5 gallons per acre, the actual application rate perlinear row foot will vary significantly, based on the number of linearrow feet in the acre that will be treated. This is further complicatedby the need to convert the 5 gallons per acre application rate to anapplication rate that's expressed in fluid ounces per acre in order toexpress the application as fluid ounces per linear row foot.

There are 128 fluid ounces in one US gallon. 5 gallons per acre times128 fluid ounces per gallon yields 640 fluid ounces per acre. Followingis a table that displays the rate per linear row foot when a consistent5 gallons per acre, or 640 fluid ounces, is applied as an at-plant,in-furrow treatment on soil that's planted with different row spacings.

TABLE 1 43,560.0000000 Square feet per acre 12.0000000 Inches per food5.0000000 Gallons applied per LINEAR ACRE 128.0000000 Fluid Ounces perGallon 6470.0000000 Fluid Ounces applied per LINEAR ACRE Row Spacing12.000000 18.000000 24.000000 30.000000 36.000000 42.000000 in InchesRow Spacing 1.000000 1.500000 2.000000 2.500000 3.000000 3.50000 in FeetLinear Row 43,560.000000 29,040.000000 21.780.000000 17,424.00000014,520.000000 12,445.714286 Feet PerAcre Fluid Ounces 0.014692 0.0220390.029385 0.036731 0.044077 0.051423 applied per row foot Fluid ounces14.692378 22.038567 29.384757 36.730946 44.077135 51.423324 per 1,000linear row feet Fluid Ounces 640.000000 640.000000 640.000000 640.000000640.000000 640.000000 per linear acre

640 fluid ounces divided by 14,520 linear row feet per acre=0.0440 fluidounces per linear row foot with 36-inch row spacing.

640 fluid ounces divided by 17,424 linear row feet per acre=0.0367 fluidounces per linear row foot with 30-inch row spacing.

640 fluid ounces divided by 21,780 linear row feet per acre=0.0294 fluidounces per linear row foot with 24-inch row spacing.

The preceding table demonstrates that different row spacing affects thequantity of liquid that's applied per linear row foot when a constantapplication rate per acre is maintained. However, in order to producethe intended or desired biological effect from most at-plant, in-furrowproduct applications, the application rate per linear row foot iscritical. Therefore, in order to realize the desired biological effect,applicators calibrate the application equipment to deliver theappropriate application rate per linear row foot, and the totalapplication volume per acre will vary up or down based on row spacing,subject to regulations that establish do-not-exceed volumes on aper-acre basis.

As demonstrated in the preceding table, the applied liquid volume perlinear row foot is significantly less than 1 fluid ounce. Most currentlyavailable systems for applying at-plant, in-furrow liquid products areincapable of consistently applying a volume of liquid that issignificantly less than the amounts shown above, while still enablingthe user to realize the intended or desired biological efficacy from theapplied product. Physical and mechanical limitations of the liquidpumping devices used on commonly available systems for applyingat-plant, in-furrow agricultural inputs contribute to erratic biologicalefficacy as a consequence of less than uniform distribution of theapplied products throughout the length of each furrow. Most contemporaryliquid at-plant application equipment was not designed with theobjective of applying liquid products at rates that are significantlyless than 0.0367 fluid ounces per linear row foot. However, applicationequipment described in parent application Ser. No. 16/598,937 (andissued U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,356) describes at-plant, in-furrow liquidapplication equipment that enables biological efficacy to be realizedwhen liquid agricultural inputs are applied at rates as low as 0.00367fluid ounces per linear row foot in crops that are planted with 30-inchrow spacings. Application at 0.00367 fluid ounces per linear row foot asdescribed in AMVAC patent U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,356 results in totalliquid application volume being reduced by 90% versus the currentstandard of 640 fluid ounces per linear acre in crops with 30-inch rowspacing. Biological efficacy of the liquid agricultural inputs can beachieved at such a low rate as a consequence of the specializedequipment described in that patent, which in some embodiments, makes useof technology to synchronize delivery of the liquid crop input withindividual or groups of planted seeds, as the seeds are being planted.Synchronized delivery of agricultural inputs with individual or groupsof planted seeds turns off or stops the application process in as muchas 90% of the furrow length or space between the planted seeds.Agricultural university and private industry testing have demonstratedthat some agricultural inputs that are applied in or near the seedfurrow while planting provide limited or no biological efficacy oreconomic benefit from the portion of the input that is applied in thespace between the seeds that exceeds more than a 1.5 inch radius beyondthe seed. However, prior to the advent of synchronization technologythat enables input application to rapidly be turned on and off inconjunction with individually planted seeds, it was necessary to acceptthe additional expense and environmental load associated with applyinginputs into the non-efficacy zone between the seeds, in order to realizethe desired biological effect from the product that was applied in thezone of close proximity with each seed. In other words, prior tosynchronization technology, inputs were applied continuously throughoutthe entire length of the seed furrow, not because doing so improvedbiological efficacy, but because the means of doing anything else didn'texist. Applying or introducing chemical inputs into the environment thatdo not produce a beneficial biological effect is not good for theenvironment or a farmer's bottom line finances. Reducing the amount ofapplied inputs without loss of biological efficacy is good and anenvironmentally sustainable approach that reduces the total pesticideload in the environment.

An essential element of synchronization technology is that while thetotal volume of the applied liquid agricultural input is decreased peracre, the concentration rate of the applied liquid agricultural inputper linear row foot is consistent with the concentration of liquid thatwould have been applied if the product had been applied continuously,without interruption of the application process between seeds. In otherwords, the total volume of applied liquid is reduced, while the ratethat is applied in the proximate area with the seed is the same as therate that would have been applied to that area if the application hadnot been interrupted in between the seeds.

As noted above, there are several ways to dispense at-plant liquidand/or granule products in or near the furrow while planting. Forexample, some commercial devices for dispensing low-rate, in-furrowliquid products while planting are not suitable for newer planters thatoperate at speeds which exceed 5 miles per hour while distributingplanting seed into the seed furrow. The physical design and liquidplacement of these commercial devices are neither suitable fordispensing very low rates (one-half gallon or less per linear acre, oncrop rows planted 30 inches apart, or less than about 3.7 fluidounces/1,000 row feet) of continuously applied liquid agriculturalproduct per acre in a manner that enables the product to deliver anefficacious result, nor are they capable of synchronizing the deliveryof the liquid with the seed, such that an ultra-small dose of liquid isdelivered in very close proximity to the seed, with as much as 90% (ormore) of the space or area between the seeds remaining untreated withthe liquid so applied. As will be discussed below, in some embodiments,the present invention provides the combination of continuous stream, lowrate liquid application technology, in concert with pulsed delivery ofthe liquid to synchronize delivery of the liquid with the seed resultingin an untreated space that remains between each seed so that the totalapplied liquid volume per acre can be reduced by as much as 90% versuscurrently available in-furrow liquid application systems.

For example, the default synchronized or pulsed dispensing rate for oneconventional commercial system is 5 gallons per acre at 5 MPH, with aresultant treated strip of approximately 3 inches in length beingapplied with each pulse of applied liquid. In such a situation theplanted seed is placed within this 3 inch treated strip. This correlatesto enabling the liquid application process to be turned on and off(pulsed), using a time interval of approximately 30 milliseconds. Inorder to reduce the total quantity of liquid chemical applied per acre,it is desirable to be able to synchronize delivery of the liquidchemical with delivery of the seed, while the planter is operating atspeeds greater than 5 MPH, while limiting the area or length of treatedsoil to a strip which may be approximately 1 inch in length, with atreated strip of soil always being in close proximity (i.e. within ½inch) to each planted seed. To enable application of such a low rate insuch close proximity with the seed requires the liquid to be pulsed at atime interval of about 3 milliseconds. As will be discussed below, theinvention described herein can efficaciously apply continuous low rateliquids at ½ gallon per acre or less, while the planter is beingoperated at speeds greater than 5 MPH, and so can be used with newer,high-speed planters. Reducing the total volume of continuously appliedliquid to ½ gallon per linear acre corresponds to about 17% of thesomewhat low rate continuous liquid application systems that arecurrently available. Current low-rate liquid pulsing/synchronizationtechnology cannot apply such low rates due to the inability ofcommercially available agriculture product pulsing valves/devices tooperate at the high speed/short time interval required, and due to theinability to synchronize the spray pulse with seed placement such thatthe seed and liquid are in close enough proximity to ensure efficaciousresults from the applied liquid.

In spite of the desirability of being able to apply an ultra-low-rate ofa liquid, in-furrow product while planting at high speed, theconfiguration of current planting systems that use pulsed liquidapplication systems have major problems/limitations. As used herein theterm “ultra-low-rate,” as applied to liquids, refers to a rate below 1.0fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. The term “low rate,” as apply toliquids, refers to a rate below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet. Tomeet the high-speed, low rate objective, the actual pulsing device mustbe closer to the seed area than currently available designs. Forcontinuous application no pulsing device is required. Therefore, theapplication device can be located in any position relative to the seedarea. Furthermore, the area available for the pulsing device to bemounted closer to the landing point of each seed in the seed trench orfurrow is small, relative to the available space on the planter wherecurrently available pulsing devices are mounted. Current pulsed-deliveryorifices or spray tips are mounted from 6 to 40 inches from the pulsingdevice. When applying liquid products at very low rates, i.e. ultra-lowrates, with high speed pulsing, the amount of fluid between the pulsingdevice (valve) and orifice limits the speed of operation because thefluid has inertia and the line has to go from low pressure to dispensingpressure very quickly. Also, to prevent dripping during periods of verylow pressure or when pressure is zero, a check valve may be required.Check valves used in currently available in-furrow application equipmentare not designed to operate at the high speeds that are required forhigh speed planting, nor are they designed to operate at the frequenton/off cycles required at high speeds. Therefore, check valve placementand operational limitations negatively affect the ability to accuratelysynchronize application of liquid products at low and ultra-low rates invery close proximity with planting seed when planting at high speed,even though the presence of check valves on currently availableapplication equipment increases the range of operating limits of systemsso equipped, versus similar systems without check valves. Also, as isthe case with the physical size of currently available pulsing devices,the physical size of most check valves prevents close mounting to theseed release area, i.e., the area where the seed exits the seedtransport mechanism, prior to placement in the seed furrow.

Furthermore, when farmers try to apply both liquid and dry (e.g.granule) agricultural products during the same planting operation orpass, the liquid product frequently dampens, and therefore interfereswith the flowability of the dry product, which results in plugged orreduced-flow dry product placement tubes. Anything that causes a lessthan intended rate of dry or liquid product to be applied within theintended area of close proximity with each seed can contribute toreduced efficacy of the product(s) being applied. As will be disclosedhereinafter, the inventive concepts of the present invention resolvesthis issue.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,564 uses a brush that collects the granules at theend of the seed tube and when the seed comes down the tube it pushesopen the brush and dispenses the chemical with the seed. The '564 systemworks fine for speeds up to about 5 MPH and populations of about 32,000seeds per acre. However, if one attempts to operate the '564 system atspeeds greater than 5 MPH, the exit speed of seed through the dischargeopening of the delivery tube can be restricted by the brush, while theentry speed of seeds into the same delivery tube at a position above thebrushes is not restricted. When seed enters the delivery tube at a ratethat's faster than the discharge rate, blockage of the seed deliverytube can occur, resulting in reduced plant populations and acorresponding reduction in crop yield. Additionally, when operating the'864 system at speeds greater than 5 MPH, product synchronization isadversely affected, as a consequence of inadequate time for the brushesto collect an adequate quantity of product granules before the next seedpasses through the brush, causing the brush bristles to flex and theproduct granules to be evenly distributed rather than being concentratedin close proximity with each planted seed. The result can be a less thanefficacious dose rate of granules being applied in close proximity withthe seed, because a portion of the intended dose rate gets distributedin the space between the seeds as a consequence of the brush bristles'inability to flex, catch, and hold the chemical granules as quickly asis required when operating at speeds greater than 5 MPH. In essence,synchronization quality is diminished when the '564 system is operatedat speeds greater than 5 MPH because granule leakage past the brushesoccurs.

Closed container systems provide a removable container, which ispre-filled with the chemical or toxic materials such as insecticides,nematicides, fungicides, fertilizers, herbicides and other pesticides;or other agricultural products, thereby eliminating the need to open,pour, and mix the products which are held within the containers beforeor as they are introduced in into product application reservoirs. Byeliminating the opening, pouring, and mixing requirements, agriculturalworkers have less opportunity to come into contact with the productsthat are applied from closed system containers, thereby reducing skinand inhalation exposure to the hazardous chemicals.

Examples of products that are applied in-furrow while planting includenematicides for the treatment of nematodes; insecticides for thetreatment of insects; herbicides for the control of weeds; fungicidesfor the control of diseases; plant health/growth stimulant products forimproving plant health; nutrients for improving plant health andnutrition, etc. There is research being conducted to develop additionalin-furrow products that utilize living/biological micro-organisms, aminoacids, proteins, peptides, and gene “switches”, such as the developingarea of RNA silencing or interference gene technology, etc.

Additionally, an alleged relationship between the use of at-plantingapplied neonicotinoid insecticides and a corresponding decline in theoverall honeybee population has been reported. It is believed that airvacuum planters exhaust insecticide dust from planting seed that wastreated with neonicotinoid insecticide prior to the seed being loadedinto the planter, and that the dust from the same is adversely affectingthe population of honeybees. Honeybees are an essential element of theplant pollination process for many crops, so a decline in honeybeepopulations can potentially reduce bee-dependent crop yields.Neonicotinoid insecticide dust from pre-treated seed can be eliminatedif the application of the product is deferred until the seed exits theplanter via the methods described herein, versus being pre-treated withthe product as is done in current practice.

Today, most in-furrow granular products are dispensed or applied at arate of more than three ounces per thousand feet of row, while mostliquid products are applied at rates of more than 3.7 fluid ounces perthousand feet of row, where the 3.7 fluid ounces rate is defined as theTOTAL volume of liquid being applied, I.e., the combination offormulated product plus the rate of carrier fluid or dilutant. In-furrowapplication rates of less than three dry ounces per thousand row feet,or less than 3.7 fluid ounces per thousand row feet, require specialtechniques and special equipment in order to deliver efficaciousresults. As will be disclosed below, the present invention addressesthese needs.

US Pat. Publication US 2018/0000070, published on Jan. 4, 2018, to FMCCorporation, discloses foamable formulations of agriculturally activeingredients, as well as methods for using them. The formulationsallegedly “allow improved delivery of active ingredients by the abilityto deliver high amounts of active ingredient with a low volume offormulation used.” The '070 publication discloses application ofproducts below 1 gallon per acre input. In other words, the total volumeof applied liquid (active ingredient plus carrier) is below 1 gallon peracre input. The FMC foam system expands the total volume of formulatedliquid product (active ingredient plus carrier) by 15 to 50 times theinput. Therefore, the amount of agricultural product dispensed into thefurrow is actually many gallons (i.e. on the order of 15 to 50 gallons)when the combined volume of liquid plus air in the foamed product isaccounted for.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system fordispensing liquid agricultural products with seed. The system fordispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a controlsystem; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supplysystem; and, a seed brush assembly. The control system receives at leastone control input. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seedplanter row unit and is configured to dispense seed. The agriculturalproduct supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products inresponse to an output signal from the control system. The seed brushassembly includes a brush housing structure and a brush. The brushhousing structure receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. Thebrush has bristles positioned within said brush housing structure. Theagricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquidagricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are positioned andconfigured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage ofseed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product istransferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensedprior to the seed hitting the ground.

In a preferred embodiment, the bristles are positioned and configuredsuch that the effect of brush interference on seed placement in a furrowis limited to no more than one standard deviation of what the in-furrowseed spacing would be without the presence of the seed brush assembly.

In a preferred embodiment the brush housing structure includes a tubeassembly having the bristles positioned therein.

In a preferred embodiment the agricultural product supply systemcomprises a pump comprising a syringe pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a planter equipped with a systemfor dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective illustration of the planter of FIG. 1,partially broken away to reveal the multiple low rate agriculturalproduct application device of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged side view of a portion of the planter depicted inFIG. 2, showing a seed dropped in the furrow.

FIG. 3B shows dry, flowable agricultural product being applied.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the Multiple Low RateAgricultural (MLRA) product application device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a perspective illustration, partially cutaway of an exampleof a valve.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the system for dispensing multiple low rateagricultural products, including two Multiple Low Rate Agricultural(MLRA) product devices positioned at different locations on the planter.

FIG. 7A is a view of the MLRA product application device with a plateremoved.

FIG. 7B shows the liquid agricultural product input line adjusted todispense at a different angle than depicted in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic illustration of the system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dry, flowableagricultural product input assembly which allows application in twodirections.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of an example test of a multiple low rateagricultural product application device utilized with a single dry,flowable agricultural product input assembly illustrating granulesdispensed in a concentrated pattern in close proximity to the seed.

FIGS. 11A-11C are sequential photographs of synchronized delivery ofseed with liquid.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a syringe pump that may be utilized toapply in-furrow liquid products at low rates.

FIG. 13 shows an example display for a pulsing valve controller.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a planter equipped with a system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, in which a seed brush assemblyis illustrated in phantom lines.

FIG. 15 shows the planter with a depth wheel partially removed and anopening disk removed to reveal the seed transport mechanism and seedbrush assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the seed brushassembly mounted under a seed transport mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the seed brushassembly of FIG. 16, and seed transport mechanism.

FIG. 18 shows a liquid agricultural product being applied to the seedbrush assembly of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 shows a seed introduced between brushes of the seed brushassembly.

FIG. 20 shows the seed exiting from the seed brush assembly.

FIG. 21 is an illustration of a peristalic pump that may be utilized toapply in-furrow liquid products at low rates.

FIG. 22 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of anagricultural product supply system that includes an agricultural productsupply tube having an exit port in contact with a brush.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the agricultural product supply system of FIG.22.

FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of theseed brush assembly having a brush housing structure including a tubehaving bristles positioned therein; and output orifices from anagricultural product supply system.

The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings aredesignated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elementsbear a prime designation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference markedthereon, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a simplified diagram of a system fordispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, designated generallyas 10, positioned on a planter 12. The system 10 includes a Multiple LowRate Agricultural (MLRA) product application device 14 configured tocooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly 16 (i.e. seedsensing device) positioned to sense a seed being discharged fromplanting equipment, i.e. planter 12.

The MLRA product application device (i.e. “aiming device”) 14 includes acommon housing 18 for a plurality of low rate agricultural product inputassemblies 20, 21. As will be discussed in more detail below, the lowrate agricultural product input assemblies 20, 21 have exit portssupported by the common housing 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, each MLRA product applicationdevice 14 includes two plates 22, 24 securely supported in a spacedapart position. The plates 22, 24 preferably include mounting holes 26that provide adjustment of the low rate agricultural product inputassemblies 20, 21 for desired prescriptive discharge.

The seed sensing device 16 is particularly adapted to sense placement ofseed from a planter configured to operate at a high planter speed. Asdefined herein a “high planter speed” is greater than 5 mph. However,the seed sensing device can optionally be used to sense placement ofseed from a planter configured to operate at slower planter speeds, forexample in a range of about 2 mph to 5 mph.

One type of low rate agricultural product input assembly is a liquidagricultural product input assembly 21. Typical liquid agriculturalproducts may include, for example, synthetic or biological insecticides,fungicides, nematicides, inoculants, herbicides, fertility products,etc. Another type of low rate agricultural product input assembly 20 isa dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly 20. Typical dry,flowable agricultural products may include, for example, synthetic orbiological insecticides, nematicides, inoculants, herbicides,fungicides, fertilizers and other agricultural products. Both liquid anddry agricultural products also may include growth hormones, growthpromotion products, and other products for enhancing crop production.

The dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly 20 includes a dry,flowable agricultural product input line 30; an air line/wire component32 connectable to an air source 34; an air valve 36; a combinationsection 38; and a combined dry, flowable/air outlet section 40. The airvalve 36 is operatively connected to the air line/wire component 32. Thecombination section 38 is positioned to receive dry, flowableagricultural product from the dry, flowable agricultural product inputline 30 and air from the air valve 36. The combination section 38 isconfigured to receive the dry, flowable agricultural product and holdthe dry, flowable agricultural product until the air from the air valve36 discharges the dry, flowable agricultural product. The combined dry,flowable/air outlet section (or exit port section) 40 is connected tothe combination section 38 and configured to discharge the dry, flowableagricultural product. The liquid agricultural product input assembly 21includes a liquid agricultural product input line 42. A liquid line/wirecomponent 44 is connectable to a liquid source 46. A liquid valve 48 isoperatively connected to the liquid line/wire component 44 forregulating a discharge of the liquid agricultural product.

Thus, the air valves 36, liquid valves 48 and associated system items tothe air valves 36 and liquid valves 48 collectively comprise a pulsingsystem operatively coupled to output ends of the dry, flowableagricultural product input line 30 and/or liquid agricultural productinput line 42 (i.e. agricultural product tubes 30, 42). The pulsingsystem is also operably coupled to the seed sensing device. The pulsingsystem is configured to synchronize the placement of low rateagricultural products relative to the placement of seed. Thus, in someembodiments the pulsing system includes electrical pulsing valvesphysically placed on the output ends of the agricultural product tubes.

In an embodiment, the air valve 36 and/or liquid valve 48 may comprise,for example, a type of modified automotive fuel injection valve. As bestseen in FIG. 5, both the air valve 36 and the liquid valve 48 are thesame type of mechanical device. The active (i.e. operational) part ofthe valves 36, 48, as denoted by the brackets in this figure, may be,for example, about 1¼ inches long and have diameters of approximately ½inch. This allows mounting of multiple agricultural product inputassemblies (including their valves) within the same MLRA productapplication device 14.

Referring to FIG. 5A, an example of a valve 36 (or 48), either forliquid or air, is illustrated. The valve 36 includes structures knownwithin the automotive fuel injection field, such as a valve housingassembly 23, an armature 25, a coil 27, an output orifice 29, and areturn spring 31. Additionally, there is an air/liquid line and suitablewiring. Utilization of such a valve allows multiple valves to be usedwithin a single MLRA product application device 14.

Each multiple low rate agricultural product application device 14 valve36 (or 48) may be about 1¼ inches long with a diameter of about ½ inch.Adding wiring, hose, and the mounting housing increases the sizeslightly but can be designed to fit the length and width of arearequirements. A commercially available valve for pulsing liquids on acorn planter is available from Capstan AG Systems Inc., Topeka, Kans. Asopposed to the present valve 36 (or 48), The Capstan unit, on the otherhand, is about 6 inches long and about 2 inches wide. Also, the Capstanunit, is normally split into two or more components to make it fit inthe space available. In the Capstan unit the large size results in thepulsing part of the valve being a long distance from the dispensing tipor orifice, up to three feet on some units, which decreases performance.

As will be seen with respect to FIG. 6, in one embodiment of system 10,there can be multiple devices (i.e. MLRA product application devices)14′, 14″ mounted on the planter 12. Each device may contain multiple lowrate agricultural product input assemblies 33, 35, 37, 39. Theagricultural product input assemblies may be various dry and/or liquidor combinations thereof. Device 14″, i.e. precision placement equipment,includes placement tube assemblies, i.e. agricultural product inputassemblies operatively connected to low rate meter devices to place theagricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity ofthe agricultural products in this instance each placement tube assembly(i.e. agricultural input assembly is mounted between depth wheels of adepth control wheel assembly of the planter for placement of productin-furrow between the depth control wheels. FIG. 6 shows one depthcontrol wheel 41. Another depth control wheel has been removed to showthe device 14″ between the depth control wheels. There is an attachmentarm 19 for the depth control wheel 41. Each of the placement tubeassemblies 33, 35 includes an elongated placement tube 37,39 arranged sothat it descends from a portion of the frame 41 behind the depth controlwheels 41 to between the depth control wheels. Device 14 is located infront of the seed tube 65. It is preferably positioned between theopening discs. One opening disc 43 is shown. A second one has beenremoved to show the device 14′. Thus, both devices 14′ and 14″ areprotected from the wind, trash and other impediments on the soil. Inother embodiments instead of utilizing two plates, one plate (forexample, attached to a metal strip) may be utilized in a common housing.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the planting equipmentmonitor assembly (i.e. seed sensing device) 16 includes an in-cabmonitor 50 having a seed status light 52. A planter assembly controlmodule 54 is operatively connected to the in-cab monitor 50, forinterfacing input signals from planter sensors. The planter assemblycontrol module 54 functions as a master controller. The planter sensorsmay be of a variety of different types that provide input to theoperator regarding planter functions, e.g. from the seed tube, seedmeter pressure sensor, bulk seed tank pressure sensor (not shown),ground speed sensor 56 (see FIG. 1), seed unit ground pressure sensor 58(FIG. 2), etc.; and, for controlling planter functions (such as groundspeed, bulk tank pressure, seed meter vacuum, row unit ground pressure,liquid and dry, flowable application control. There are alternatemethods for positioning the monitor 50. It can be positioned as desiredon the planter, e.g. under the seed hopper.

Connection means such as suitable wiring 60 is operatively connectedbetween the control module 54 and the planter sensors through a plantingequipment monitor assembly wire harness/connector 62. Theharness/connector 62 can function as a power distribution box. In oneembodiment the power distribution box 62 is operatively connected to asecondary power source (not shown).

In one embodiment, the planting equipment monitor assembly includes aseed tube integrated unit 64 including a seed status light 66. In someembodiments, the seed status light is mounted on a separate modulerather than on the seed tube integrated unit 64. The seed tubeintegrated unit 64 is mounted on a seed tube 65. A control module 68,e.g. a seed status LED light interface module, is operatively connectedto the seed tube integrated unit 64 (i.e. seed sensing electronics), forinterfacing input signals from planter sensors and for controllingplanter functions (such as ground speed, bulk tank pressure, seed metervacuum, row unit ground pressure, liquid and dry, flowable applicationcontrol). The control module 68 functions as a secondary controller foractuating the meter devices. The control module 68 receives command datafrom the master controller 54 and the seed tube integrated unit 64 andseed status light 66 via the power distribution box

Connection means such as suitable wiring 70 is operatively connectedbetween the control module 68 and the planter sensors (e.g. seed statuslight 66) through the planting equipment monitor assembly wireharness/connector 62.

In one embodiment, the multiple low rate agricultural productapplication device is configured to dispense dry, flowable (e.g.granular) agricultural products at a low application rate, a “lowapplication rate,” being defined for dry, flowable agricultural productsas a rate below 3 ounces per 1000 feet of row.

In one preferred embodiment, the low application rate of the dry,flowable agricultural products is 1.0-2.0 ounces per 1000 feet of row.In an embodiment the agricultural products are insecticides.

In one embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowableagricultural products is 2.0-2.99 ounces per 1000 feet of row. Inanother embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowableagricultural products is below 2.0 ounces per 1000 feet of row. Inanother embodiment the low application rate of the dry, flowableagricultural products is 0.01-1.9 ounces per 1000 feet of row.

The multiple low rate agricultural product application device isconfigured to dispense liquid agricultural products at a low applicationrate, a “low application rate,” being defined as a rate below 3.7 fluidounces per 1,000 row feet.

With respect to liquid agricultural products, the low rate is limited bythe formulation and the size of the particles suspended in the liquid.If the orifice is not large enough to pass the formulation or particlesit will plug. It is also limited by the fact that if the orifice is toosmall it may form a mist which will make it difficult to hit thetargeted area. If pure water is utilized, application rates can go downto four or 5 fluid ounces per linear acre with 30″ row spacing, or saidanother way, per 17,424 row feet.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the low rateagricultural product input assemblies (i.e. discharge guides) 20, 21 canbe angled appropriately by fasteners 45. The fasteners may be of a widevariety of types, for example, plastic or metal bolts or screws. Itemssuch as zip tie fasteners may be used. Thus, referring to FIGS. 7A and7B, the liquid agricultural product input assembly 21 is shown adjustedat different angles. Furthermore, the dry, flowable agricultural productinput assembly 20 is shown with a modified dry, flowable agriculturalproduct input line 30 which is curved to meet the requirements of theplanter frame.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the exit port section (i.e. combineddry, flowable/air outlet section 40) includes, in the embodiment shown,a trough 47 at the end of the chemical tube 49 where agriculturalproduct is collected. The air valve 36 is mounted at one end of thetrough 47. The upper entry point of dry, flowable agricultural products(granules) is between the air valve 36 and the discharge opening 49. Theair valve 36 fires and the granules are blown through the trough 47. Thedischarge end of the trough 47 has a U-shaped discharge guide 51.

The U-shaped discharge guide 51 performs several functions:

1. It protects the discharge opening 49 from foreign material enteringit and plugging it.

2. In one embodiment the discharge guide 51 can be tilted through arange of about 90-120 degrees to provide guidance for the granules tohit the aim point, eliminating the need for complicated electronics toprovide accuracy. It may have an added insert to change the angle forhitting the aim point.

3. It also protects the liquid discharge from the liquid valve 48 (andfrom any other sources of liquid contamination) from entering the trough47, which could result in product plugging and otherwise missing thetarget area.

4. The U-shaped discharge guide 51 is preferred rather than a tube orpipe type discharge because the open side of the guide 51 preventsgranules from building up in the discharge from debris, wet soil,crossing wet spots in the field, etc.

5. The open front side prevents residue such as plant stalk from lodgingin the discharge port.

Referring again to FIG. 6, in one embodiment a brush 53 can be usedinstead of the U-shaped discharge guide 51. Using such a brush 53 canresult in better placement in some planting conditions, such as highresidue and wet conditions.

Another brush (not shown) may be utilized in the air valve systembetween the granule intake and discharge opening to work like it doeswith seed dispensing devices. Such a brush may reduce the unintended andless than efficacious application of minute quantities of product duringthe interval of time between the pulsed bursts of air.

In some embodiments different products can be introduced into the furrowwith desired placement relative to the seed. In one embodiment, only onesignal is needed to signal any group of valves to fire. This means thatwhere the product is applied in the furrow is determined by the valveposition. Therefore, noncompatible products can be applied at the sametime in different positions. As noted above, the valve assembly can bemounted either behind the seed tube or in front of it. There is enoughroom to mount up to three valve assemblies depending on where theproduct is required to hit the seed furrow. Also, normal seed spacingfor corn is about 6 inches. The normal seed spacing for soybeans isabout 1 to 4 inches depending on the row width. No matter when thesignal from the seed sensor is given the valve can be positioned to hitwith the proper timing and placement.

One reason to pulse granules and liquid is that granules can be moreeasily designed for timed release, but liquids work better for quickcontrol. In one embodiment, for example, if it is desired in anapplication for immediate response to pests that attack corn seed butalso a need for late season control of corn rootworms, both anencapsulated granular and liquid can be used. Also if it is desired toapply both liquids and/or granular products that are not completelycompatible with each other when they are in the same solution or directcontact, they can be pulsed in different locations in the furrow or nearthe furrow in the row.

The signal to drive the device of the present invention can be suppliedin many ways. There are several commercial controllers such as a CapstanAG Systems, Inc. Seed Squirter controller; a Great Plains Ag planterunit; and a 360 Yield Center controller. Since the devices of thepresent invention can be manually adjusted they can be controlled/drivenby wiring them directly to the planter monitor, Y-ed into the seed flowsensor connector, and/or a magnetic/emf/electric field sensor can beused with individual circuitry for each row. Also, if electrical timingis desired “delay line” modules can be used without complicatedelectronics and processors. “Delay Lines” are commonly used for signalprocessing.

In one embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, a rigid productcontainer 130 may be utilized for low rate, dry flowable agriculturalproducts. A liquid product container 131 is shown, by way of example,next to the rigid product container 130; however, there is muchflexibility in the location of such a liquid product container 131.Additionally, as it is understood by one skilled in the field, there maybe a variety of different rigid product containers and/or liquid productcontainers. The liquid product containers may each include a pump, ormay be connected to a liquid supply pump.

In certain embodiments rigid containers may be used. Use of rigidcontainers for low rate, dry flowable agricultural products maintainsagricultural product integrity during shipping and storage. This will bediscussed below in more detail.

Although not preferred, pallets of bagged product may possibly be used.Bagged product was typically used in the past and the product wasstacked four or five pallets high in a warehouse for a period of months.A common procedure is to drop a bag on the ground or floor to break upany lumps that might have developed in the bag as a consequence of beingstored. Standard application equipment has rotors to help grind uplumps. This is moderately effective at application rates that are higherthan the low rates previously described in this document, because thecontrol orifices in the bottom of many currently available meters arelarge enough to pass the lumps that remain after the bags have beendropped as previously described. Lumps (or clumped material) thatdoesn't get broken up, if small enough, can be forced through theorifice due to the turning action of the rotors that are positionedbefore the metering device. However, at the low application ratesdescribed herein, the control orifice has to be small enough to controlthe flow, and essentially any lumping will cause a blockage and preventthe metering device from applying the product in a consistent andefficacious manner. Also, a problem with paper bags is that cuttingthem, tearing them open, or other opening techniques can allow smallpieces of paper to enter the application system, which can also causeplugging and/or blockage issues. Finally, filling the planter equipmentfrom non-closed systems with open lids can allow foreign material suchas dirt, seed residue, etc., to enter the system, causing plugging. Thisis especially problematic on windy days.

The utilization of rigid product containers obviates the problemsmentioned above.

A low application rate meter device (i.e. agricultural product meteringsystem) 132 operatively connected to the rigid product container 130 isconfigured to dispense the agricultural products from the productcontainers (i.e. from a plurality of sources of low rate agriculturalproducts sources) 130.

The material dispensing system of the present invention may be used withother types of agricultural implements, but is primarily used with seedplanting equipment. Although the Figures show a single row of plantingequipment, typical planters include multiple rows, for example, up to 48or more.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified schematic illustration of oneembodiment of the major components of the system of the presentinvention is shown, designated generally as 140. The seed tubeintegrated unit 64 provides a signal to the light interface module 68.Or, the in cab monitor 50 can provide the signal to the light interfacemodule 68. The light interface module 68 signals the air valve 36 and/orliquid valve 48 to apply liquid agricultural product and/or dry,flowable agricultural product.

Although only a couple of arrangements of the liquid and the dry,flowable agricultural product input assemblies have been illustratedabove, it is understood that the arrangement of these input assembliesdepends on the product supplied, the type of planter that is used, andhow that product needs to be placed. For example, although anarrangement has been described above as including one liquid and onedry, flowable input assembly, it is understood that in somecircumstances there may be multiples of the liquid and/or dry, flowableinput assemblies.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment of a dry, flowableagricultural product input assembly, designated generally as 144, isillustrated, which allows application in two directions. A dry, flowableproduct input tube 146 and air valve 148 cooperate in a bi-directionalhousing 150 with a front application port 152 and a rear applicationport 154 for discharging the dry, flowable agricultural product multipledirections if desired. A unique feature of this embodiment is that it iscapable of pulsing out a more uniform line of product than an inputassembly with a single output port. Therefore, it can be operated atvery low rates and pulse a continuous line of agricultural product inthe furrow. For example, if the device pulses a six inch line ofproduct, it can be fired at every six inches to provide a continuousapplication of product. Therefore, if there is a six inch seed spacingthen pulsing with the seed will result in a continuous stream of productin the furrow. Another example of pulsing with low rates is, instead ofsynchronized pulsing of product with the seed, there is pulsing every 6inches (in accordance with distance traveled) and production of the sameresults as pulsing with the seed.

A sensor apparatus is preferably included that detects when the deliverypoint for the agricultural product is not where it is supposed to be. Asbackground, in order for synchronized applications to work, the farmerneeds to be informed if for any reason the product being applied isn'tbeing placed properly in proximity with the seed. For, example, ifapplying a strip that is very short, the pulsing might be working verywell, but if the nozzle is mis-aimed, that treated strip will not be inthe correct position relative to the seed, and the desired effect on thecrop will not be realized. Therefore, a sensor apparatus notifies thefarmer if the product delivery point is not where it is supposed to be.

In some embodiments, and preferably, a sensor apparatus is included thatdetects when the delivery point for the agricultural product is notwhere it should be. An example of such a sensor apparatus is disclosedand claimed in U.S. Ser. No. 15/822,181 entitled FLOW SENSOR BASED ONELECTRICAL CAPACITY.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a single still image picture taken from ahigh-speed/slow-motion video that was taken during an example test ofthe operational advantages of the system 10. In this test setup, amultiple low rate agricultural product application device was utilizedwith a single dry, flowable agricultural product input assembly. A dry,flowable agricultural product, in this case a placebo white granularcalibration product, was used with corn seed that was color dyed. Thecorn seed was applied using a Precision Planting high-speed unit mountedon a John Deere row unit. Paper was used under the row unit traveling atplanter speed. The seed spacing in this example run was 13 inches. Ascan be readily seen, the granules were dispensed in a concentratedpattern in close proximity to the seed. This resulted in a zone betweeneach seed that receives little to no chemical. This is an example ofseed delivery being synchronized with dry, flowable agriculturalproduct.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C are sequential still pictures of synchronizeddelivery of liquid with individual seeds. In FIG. 11A a stream of liquidis shown being output from the liquid agricultural product inputassembly. In a synchronized fashion seed is being output from thePrecision Planting high-speed unit. FIG. 11B shows a line of liquiddispensed on the paper. At that time the seed is still airborne. FIG.11C shows the seed ready to impact the liquid on the paper. A high speedvideo was used.

As was the case with dry, flowable product, in another example there maybe non-synchronized pulsing of liquids with low rates. Instead ofsynchronized pulsing of product with the seed, there is pulsing every 6inches (in accordance with distance traveled) and production of the sameresults as pulsing with the seed. Instead of using an output nozzle thatsquirts a straight stream, a spray type nozzle is used, such as a flatfan jet nozzle, which produces a line of product parallel to theplanting direction in the bottom of the furrow. The advantage of pulsingin this manner allows use of bigger orifices in the output deviceproviding less plugging with denser products.

Looking at the soil behind the planter is the standard procedure forchecking for accurate placement of at-planting, in-furrow-appliedagricultural products. With the system of the present invention, theapplication rates of agricultural product(s) are normally so low thatunaided visual observation is difficult, or maybe even impossible. Withthe present system, product placement can be set and visually confirmedby simultaneously operating both the agricultural product applicationsystem and the seed dispensing mechanism while the planter is stationaryand in planting position, and noting the placement of the product(s) inrelation to individual seeds or seed groupings, as the product(s) andseed strike the ground or any surface beneath the planter, in the eventthe testing process is conducted in a building with a floor.

The system of the present invention is particularly adapted for use witha planter configured to operate at a high planter speed. As the term“high planter speed” is used herein it refers to a speed greater than 5mph. However, it is emphasized that the system of the present invention,in some embodiments, can operate at much lower planter speeds such as ina range of between about 2 mph to 5 mph. Thus, the seed sensing deviceis configured to sense placement of seed as appropriate from theplanter, and commensurate planter speed utilized for a specifiedpurpose.

The agricultural product metering system may comprise various types ofsystems. For example, the agricultural product metering system may be asolenoid system or a syringe-based pump system. Various pumps can beused, to apply in-furrow liquid products at low rates. For example,referring to FIG. 12, a syringe-based pump assembly, designatedgenerally as 158, is illustrated.

The syringe-based pump assembly 158 includes a stepper motor 160connected to a drive gear 162 operably connected to two screw motors164. A common lever 166 operably connected to two syringe assemblies168, 170 are contained within the pump assembly housing 172. Eachsyringe assembly 168, 170 includes a syringe piston 172 and a syringeelement 174. The liquid output from the pump is synchronized withdelivery of the seed by using the same seed (planting) sensors describedabove.

Use of a syringe-based pump assembly 158 in conjunction with thesynchronized pulsing techniques discussed herein provides thesynergistic ability to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products anultra-low-rate, discussed above as defined as below 0.9 fluid ounces per1000 row feet. The concept of reducing the total quantity of liquidproduct that is applied with the syringe pump is consistent with thepreviously described results of ultra-low rate liquid application, wheredeposition or placement of the liquid product is limited to an area ofas little as one-quarter inch of row spacing, and within one-quarterinch of individually placed seeds or seed groupings. The process ofusing the seed sensing device to control the pulsed delivery of theliquid product, such that deposition (application) of the liquid productin the target area is synchronized with individual seeds or seedgroupings, is consistent for both syringe pump ultra-low rate liquidapplications and for ultra-low rate liquid synchronized applicationthat's accomplished with the modified fuel injector assembly describedpreviously herein. While the means of pumping or pushing the liquidproduct through the application orifice differs dramatically between thesyringe pump and modified fuel injector, the objective of providing anultra-low rate of liquid product in synchronization with an individualseed or seed grouping is consistent, and the highly disparateembodiments demonstrate that one skilled in the art might conceive ofalternate methods to accomplish this task.

Thus, the syringe pump provides the capability to apply a singlecontinuously applied liquid product at a low rate of less than 3.7 fluidounces per 1000 row feet when operated at speeds of 5 mph or less, orspeeds greater than 5 mph. Furthermore, the syringe pump provides thecapability to apply a single synchronized liquid product at an ultra-lowrate of less than 1.0 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet when operated atspeeds of 5 mph or less, or speeds greater than 5 mph.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that they canobviate the use of many complicated electronic driving systems. However,in certain embodiments electronic driving systems may be used. Forexample, it may use a distributed control system that includes a mainmicrocontroller, which communicates to a plurality of sub-controllers.(As used herein the term sub-controller may alternatively be referred toas a secondary controller, slave controller, or row controller.) Thesub-controllers implement commands received from the main control unitby applying electric power to a metering system. The agriculturalproduct container may contain a memory device for retaining informationpertaining to the material in the container and to a metering device ofthe metering system. This information is used by the main control unit(i.e. main microcontroller or master controller) and the sub-controllersto properly dispense the product.

The material dispensing system, in some embodiments, is a distributedcontrol system that employs the master microcontroller computer locatedin the operator's cab or integrated into the onboard master display andcontrol system of the tractor. This master or main controllerdistributes command and control information via a high speed serialcommunications link, via a power distribution box, to thesub-controllers connected to individual meter systems. Each rowcorresponds to one row in the field being planted. Each individual metersystem is controlled by its own slave or row controller. The metersystem includes an electronic memory circuit and a metering ordispensing device. The meter system can be permanently attached to aunion device which enables product to flow to the meter from the productcontainer which is also attached to the union device. The meter systemmay be attached using a known tamper-evident securing system. The rowcontroller includes a material flow sensor which is integral with therow controller. The material flow sensor detects the presence or absenceof flow from the product container.

The main microcontroller unit may include a display and keypad foroperator interface. In some embodiments a speed sensing device such asradar, GPS or other geopositioning systems, or wheel speed sensor isconnected to the main control unit to provide for thetracking/monitoring of ground speed. Ground speed is used to modify thematerial dispensing rate to account for the planter's speed. The maincontrol unit is connected to a plurality of junction boxes. The junctionboxes are operatively positioned between a power distribution box andthe secondary controllers by a high speed serial communications link.The main controller is in constant communication through thecommunications link to the secondary controllers 60 located on theplanter.

In some embodiments the secondary controllers (i.e. row control units)allow a method of multiplexing signals going to the main controller. Abenefit is that the main controller can control a planter with only ninewires going to a junction box. One pair of wires is used for serialcommunications, three pairs of wires are provided for power to the rowcontrol units and to the metering devices. Three pairs of wires are usedfor power to more evenly distribute the current requirements. The powerdistribution box obviates the need for power to be supplied by themaster controller to the secondary controllers. The power distributionbox is independently connected to a power source as indicated by numeraldesignation. The power distribution box is also connected to a liftswitch. The power distribution box has three serial ports for connectionto the junction boxes. It includes suitable electronic overloadprotectors to prevent damage to the system. The lift switch preventsoperation of the metering devices when the planter is raised, I.e., notin planting position, thereby preventing product from being dispensedwhen the planter is not lowered into planting position.

The main controller also contains a suitable non-volatile memory unit,such as “flash” memory, a memory card, etc. Information pertaining tothe usage and application of agricultural products is stored in thisnon-volatile memory unit. This information is used to prepare printedreports which meet EPA reporting requirements. Currently, farmersprepare these written reports manually, however, some product containersare equipped with RFID tags or alternate means of electronicallycommunicating information about the product(s) being applied, thusenabling application records to be created automatically, withoutrequiring human or operator input.

A preferred junction box can connect up to eight row control units tothe power distribution box. If the planter has more than eight rows,additional junction boxes can be connected to the power distributionbox. The lift switch is connected to the power distribution box. Thisswitch indicates when the planter is not in an operating position. Otherinterfaces to the main control unit may be provided (such as serial orparallel links) for transmitting information to other computer systemsor printers.

The row control unit has memory devices and logic devices within tomodify and implement the commands from the main controller. The rowcontrol unit can read information from a container memory circuitattached to the container and may manipulate the commands from the maincontroller to properly operate the metering device. For example, if theconcentration or use rate of product on row 1 is different than theconcentration or use rate of product on row 8, the row control unit canmodify the commands of the main controller to properly dispense productsto each row. The row control unit also reads metering device calibrationdata from the container memory circuit and modifies the main controllercommands to account for differences in performance of different meteringdevices.

The row control unit allows the possibility to completely change theprogrammed functions of the main controller. As an example, if apre-programmed row control unit is placed on a liquid herbicide sprayer,the main controller would be able to read the dispenser type informationand operate as a liquid sprayer controller.

One embodiment shown in the figures uses one row control unit to controlone metering device and memory unit. A row control unit can control morethan one device, for example, two metering device and memory units, orone metering device and memory unit and one seed hopper and seedplanting mechanism.

The seed planting mechanism typically includes a plurality ofagricultural product tubes operatively connected to the agriculturalproduct metering system.

Each container supplies a metering or dispensing device, which allowscontrolled application rates under different conditions. The meteringdevice may be an electromechanical solenoid driven device for drymaterial. Other type of dispensers may be used for other materials, suchas liquids. One type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No.7,171,913, entitled “Self-Calibrating Meter With In-Meter Diffuser”.Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,782,entitled “Transfer Valve For a Granular Materials Dispensing System”.Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,794,entitled “Metering Device for Granular Materials”. Another type ofmetering device for dry granular material is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,156,372, entitled Metering Device for Granular Materials. Another typeof metering device, is described in U.S. Publication No.US20170043961A1, entitled Brush Auger Meter, which describes a devicefor metering granular or powdered product, having a meter housing, anauger housing positioned within the meter housing, the auger housinghaving an inlet opening for receiving the granular or powdered product,a rotatable spiral brush mounted within the auger housing, a firstdischarge outlet near one end of the auger housing for discharginggranular or powdered product, and another opening near another end ofthe auger housing for discharging granular or powdered product notdischarged through the first discharge opening. U.S. Pat. Nos.7,171,913; 5,687,782; 5,524,794; 5,156,372 and, U.S. Publication No.US20170043961A1 are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

The master controller and the secondary controllers are configured toprovide operator defined multiple groups of rows. Each of the rows in agroup has an operator assigned dispensing rate and operator assignedagricultural product. In some embodiments, the operator will be apre-established electronic prescription rather than a human being. Thedispensing rate and agricultural product are controllable by theoperator during operation, according to planting or field needs. Suchindividual row control is normally provided from an electronicprescription map. The master controller 10 and the secondary controllers60 are configured to control multiple groups of rows simultaneously. Agroup of rows may include a single row. Thus, for example, on a 48 rowplanter, 48 different products can be applied, each at its own specificrate, with the rate being totally variable, such that the rate can beincreased, decreased, or turned completely off, based on the geographicposition of the planter or application system. Furthermore, each of theproducts and their corresponding rate can be recorded by the mastercontroller 10 for use in record keeping.

The combination of an electronic memory and a product container withattached corresponding metering device may, in combination, form amaterial container capable of electronically remembering and storingdata important to the container, the material dispensing system, theagricultural product and the geographic position any time product isbeing dispensed, and the route of travel when the planter is in theplanting position. Among the data which could be stored are: a serialnumber unique to that container, product lot number, type of product,metering calibration, date of filling, quantity of material in thecontainer, quantity of material dispensed including specific rates ofapplication at any given location, and fields treated. These stored datacan be recalled and updated as needed. The stored data can also be usedby a metering controller or pumping system by accessing specificcalibration numbers unique to the container and make needed adjustments,by sounding alarms when reaching certain volume of product in acontainer, or keeping track of usage of the container to allowscheduling of maintenance. The electronically created as-applied recordscan also be provided to various interested parties (e.g., governmentagencies, food purchasers or processors, or consumers) as evidence ofthe products that were applied and the rate at which they were applied,to the field, or to various areas or locales within a field, in whichthe crop was produced.

In one embodiment, after configuration, the operator is able to setproduct and application rate groups. In such an embodiment, there aremultiple groups of rows that are defined by the operator. The mastercontroller and the secondary controllers are configured to control themultiple groups of rows simultaneously. However, it is within thepurview of the invention, in this embodiment, that the operator definesa single group. Different groupings will be discussed below in detail.The operator can define the rates and products for each row.

The material dispensing system features and capabilities, in someembodiments, include:

1) Controls application rate of material under varying operatingconditions. The application rate(s) can be set by the operator from anoperator's console or can be automatically read from the materialcontainer meter unit.

2) Provides actual ground speed information if a ground speed sensor isattached. A typical ground speed sensor includes GPS, wheel rpm andradar. In lieu of a ground speed sensor, a fixed planting speed may beentered and used to calculate the application rate of the productmaterial(s).

3) The system monitors material flow and alerts the operator to no flow,empty container, or blocked flow conditions.

4) The system may monitor and track container material level(s) for eachrow.

5) The system provides control information and data to a non-volatilememory for future downloading.

6) The system monitors the planter to allow product to be applied onlywhen the planter is in the planting position.

A typical usage for this system is:

1) In some embodiments, for a new product container, the metering deviceand memory unit may be attached to the product container by either thecontainer manufacturer or at the container filling site. In otherembodiments, the metering device and memory unit may be attached to theproduct container by the grower.

2) A computer is connected to the metering device and memory unit. (Insome embodiments this might be at the time of filling.) The followinginformation may be electronically stored in the memory device:

-   -   a) Date    -   b) EPA chemical ID numbers    -   c) Container serial number    -   d) Suggested doses, such as ounces per linear row foot for root        worm, or ounces per acre for grubs, etc. These rates are        specified by the manufacturer.    -   e) Meter calibration information, depending on type of metering        device    -   f) Tare weight of the container    -   g) Weight of the full container

3) The product container is sealed and prepared for shipping

4) The user attaches the product container to a dispensing implement,such as planter, sprayer, nurse tank, etc. The main controller receivesthe information from the metering device and memory unit pertaining toproper application rates and prompts the user to pick the desiredrate(s). The row control unit reads the metering device(s) calibrationinformation from the metering device(s) and memory unit(s). Thisinformation is used in combination with commands from the maincontroller to properly control the operation of the metering device(s).The user may enter a field ID number and any other required informationsuch as number of rows, width between rows, etc. The user applies theproduct(s) to the field. The main controller monitors the ground speedand changes the amount(s) being dispensed to keep a constant rate(s) peracre. When the user completes the application to a field, additionalfields may be treated. Field data, including field ID number, croptreated and quantity(ies) applied are recorded in the main controller'snon-volatile memory. This information may also be recorded in themetering device(s) and memory unit for later use by the user, theagrochemical distributor or product supplier.

There may be a group of rows. For example, there may be fourgroups—Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D—designated for a sixteenrow planter. The grouping feature allows the growers (operators) toapply the correct product at different rates for designated rows in oneplanting operation. This example indicates that Group A includes rows1-2 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 1.5 ounce per 1000 feet of row.Group B includes rows 3-8 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 2.5 ounceper 1000 feet of row. Group C includes rows 9-14 with Counter® pesticideat a rate of 2.9 ounce per 1000 feet of row. Group D includes rows 15-16with Counter® pesticide at a rate of 2.3 ounce per 1000 feet of row.

This feature allows the grower to use different or the same product atdifferent rates due to different seed traits on designated rows. Forexample, this feature allows use of a lower rate(s) of product on triplestacked or quad stacked corn seed (root worm traits) on most rows on theplanter but on designated rows the grower may be planting refuge cornseed (non-root worm trait or non GMO corn). This allows the use ofhigher rates of product for the non-traited corn.

In certain embodiments the product release on the seed within a row canbe identified with color or another tracking mechanism such as detectionby size differential. This can provide differential application ofproduct. For example, different colored seed rates or products can beswitched by making the seed sensor color sensitive. Other seedcharacteristics can provide this differentiation such as infrareddetection (by heating the seed), magnetic detection, etc.

The grouping feature discussed above allows the grower to use differentproducts at different rates so he/she can do comparative evaluations tosee which product and rate works best for their farming and productionpractices.

The grouping feature allows the growers to use different products andrates as required by a third party. For example, this feature can beused in seed corn production where the male rows typically receive apartial rate of insecticide.

The grouping feature allows seed corn companies to run different trialsof products and rates on new seed stock production trials to determinewhat rates and products are best for their particular seed. For example,certain parent seed stock may respond (positive or negative) to certaincrop protection products and rates of the products. This groupingfeature allows the research to be accomplished in a timely fashion.

Setting row groups allows the grower to shut off certain rows whilemaintaining flow as needed from the rest of the row units. This savesproduct(s) and money where the product(s) is/are not needed.

In some embodiments the present system for dispensing agriculturalproducts may include a plurality of sets of agricultural productcontainers. Each of the sets of agricultural product containers isassociated with a respective row in the field. Agricultural product fromeach agricultural product container is dispensed in accordance withoperator-defined instructions to the master controller. The instructionsare capable of being provided to the master controller during plantingallowing the dispensing of individual product containers to becontrolled. Command data may be of various types and from various inputsources including, for example, field condition mapping using satellitetelemetry combined with GPS location; previous year yield data input;soil analysis; soil moisture distribution maps; and, topographical maps.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the product containers 130, 131 each have anidentification device 133 that may be positioned in association with aproduct container for providing identification information to a mastercontroller. The identification device 133 is generally affixed to thecontainer 130, 131. The identification device is preferably aradio-frequency identification (RFID) chip for providing identificationinformation to the master controller. In one embodiment the mastercontroller 10 assigns the product container 130, 131 and its operativelyconnected meter device to a specific row. Identification informationtypically includes product name, rate, net weight of the product, etc.Preferably, if the product identification is not for an authorizedproduct then the operatively connected meter device will not operate.Each product container 130, 131 generally includes its own RFID tag 133.

In one embodiment of a planter in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, sixteen sets of agricultural product containers maybe used on a planter, for example side by side. For example, one of thecontainers may have a pesticide such as Aztec® pesticide for controllinginsects. The other container may include, for example, a growthregulator for enhancing plant growth. In other embodiments, one or moreof the containers may include a liquid. Thus, in one embodiment, theremay be multiple meters per row, each meter being operatively connectedto a product container of a set of product containers.

Applying the product directly into the furrow with the seed caneliminate the insecticide dust but still protect the seed. Also, someseed treatments may shorten seed life thereby making it impractical tosave seed for the next year. Also, treating at planting time gives thefarmer flexibility to use different seed treatments besides the seedtreatment that the seed company has applied. Another use is relative tosoil inoculants. Soybeans are inoculated and re-bagged, but a highpercentage of the inoculating organisms are dead by planting time.Applying the inoculants or other biologicals to the soil at plantingtime may greatly reduce the amount of product used because they can bestored under better conditions. Farmers have many other choices ofproducts that may be applied at planting and may desire to apply morethan one product with the planter.

Also, split-planter mapping has shown that when two different soilinsecticides are applied at planting time one insecticide may provide adifferent yield response from the other insecticide. This is becausedifferent insecticides work against different insect species. Thepopulation of insects may vary according to soil types and conditions.Corn nematodes are more likely to be in sandy soils and soybeannematodes can vary according to the PH of the soil. Other soil insectpest populations vary according to the amount and type of organicmaterial and soil moisture in the field. If a planter is equipped withdifferent insecticides, they can be applied, by using GPS, to the areawhere they are needed. Planters already have the capability to changehybrids of corn as soil types and characteristics change.

Thus, the planter can be equipped with several different products andapplied as need. Also, the products can be applied several differentways as needed. Product containers can be mounted in several locationson the planter as needed for application. As discussed above, there areseveral different placement options available for placing the productinto or onto the soil. For example, the present invention may include,for example, in-furrow placement and/or banding above the furrow. Asdiscussed, the system can run, for example 48 row units, with differentproducts or rates in each row. Products can be applied together orapplied in different areas. For example, one product can be appliedin-furrow and another placed in a band. Also, sometimes multipleproducts such as seed treatments for disease and inoculants are appliedto seeds at the same time but there is limited time for planting becausethey affect each other and will not be active unless planted within aspecific time. Applying products which are packaged individually duringa single pass of the planter improves operational efficiency and givesthe farmer more flexibility.

Although the figures only show two containers in a set of containers, aset may include numerous product containers. Higher crop prices alsomake multiple treatments more economical. The present invention providesapplication of multiple products to the same row at planting time. Asfuture agricultural science grows more products will become available.The present invention has the capability to apply them at plantingaccording to soil type, insect pressure, soil fertility, and plantrequirements.

In certain embodiments, the effectiveness of soil-applied chemicals canbe increased at planting time by inducing seed and chemical granulesinto the same seed dispensing tube, delivering the chemical products anda seed in close proximity with each other in such a way that thechemical products are dispersed with the seed as the seed passes throughthe seed dispensing tube. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,564, entitled“Method and System for Concentrating Chemical Granules Around a PlantedSeed,” issued to Conrad, et al., discloses a system in which chemicalgranules are dispensed through a granule tube into a seed dispensingtube, where the granule tube is connected to the seed dispensing tube ata location above a lower opening of the seed dispensing tube, and wherethe lower opening of the seed dispensing tube is covered with a brush. Aseed is dispensed through the seed dispensing tube. The brush holdschemical granules within the seed dispensing tube such that chemicalgranules accumulate within the seed dispensing tube, and the brushallows a seed and accumulated chemical granules to pass through thelower opening when the seed is dispensed via the seed dispensing tube.

Thus, precision placement of chemical around the seed can optimizechemical utilization. In certain embodiments the agricultural productmay be dry and in others it may be liquid.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments rigid product containers 130 areused containing low application rate agricultural products. Such rigidproduct containers are designed to maintain product integrity duringshipping and storage. A preferred rigid container is formed ofhigh-density polyethylene (HDPE). The density of high-densitypolyethylene can range from about 0.93 to 0.97 grams/centimeter³. Anexample of a suitable rigid container is high density polyethyleneformed of Mobil™ HYA-21 HDPE or equivalent material. It preferably has awall thickness of between about 0.17 to 0.28 inches.

For low rate products, when the weight of the inert ingredients (i.e.carrier) is lowered while the weight of the active ingredients ismaintained approximately constant, then the consistency is maintainedwithin control parameters and pest damage is also maintained withinacceptable parameters.

Granules used as carriers may include, for example, the following:

Amorphous silica—bulk density in a range from about 0.160 to 0.335 g/mL,

Biodac® carrier—bulk density in a range from about 0.64 to 0.79 g/mL,

Clay—bulk density in a range from about 0.40 to 1.12 g/mL,

Sand—bulk density in a range from about 1.6 to 2.1 g/mL.

Granules loaded with chemicals will typically have a bulk densitygreater than the above values by about 10 to 30%.

A typical clay granule weighs from about 0.07 to 0.09 mg. A typicalBiodac® granule weighs around 0.2 mg. A silica granule weighs fromaround 0.02 mg to 0.05 mg. A sand granule can weigh up to about 5 mg(coarse).

One example of a granule used as a carrier has a bulk density of 0.866g/mL, an average granule size of 510 microns and an average granuleweight of 0.082 mg.

The agricultural products may be insecticides or a wide variety of othercrop enhancement agricultural products such as fungicides, plant growthregulators (PGRs), micro-nutrients, etc.

Most current meter designs for dry/granular products have a moving rotorin them that acts as a shut off device and is constantly spinning theproduct inside the insecticide hopper. As the application rate isreduced the percentage of granules that are ground up, relative to thetotal quantity of product being applied is affected, and therefore theapplication rate is affected. If a low application rate is used themeter orifice may be smaller than the free flow rate for the granulesand will result in more grinding and an uneven product flow. Also, atturnoff, the meter paddle forms a pool of product around the orificethat flows out as the planter turns around at end rows. John Deere &Company and Kinze Manufacturing have made modifications to reduce thiseffect at rates in use today, but these modifications would not beeffective at the low application rate indicated here.

In one embodiment, the low application rate meter devices 132 havelarger orifices than previous conventional meter devices so they canfree flow at lower rates. Preferably, the orifice diameter is in a rangeof 0.20 inch to 0.50 inch. An example of such a low application ratemeter device is embodied in the SmartBox Dispensing System which has anorifice diameter of 0.25 inch to 0.50 inch depending on the rate of theproduct used. The orifice diameter must be large enough to deliver morethan the free flow of the intended product. The pulsing of the meter isone way to regulate the application rate of the product.

In industry today it is very common to use a seed treatment. One or morefungicide, nematicide, insecticide, and/or other crop inputs are appliedto the seed before it is packaged for sale, and the amount is limited tothat which can be applied to the outer surface of the seed withoutadversely affecting the drying of the seed before it is packaged, orwithout adversely affecting the germination of the seed after it isplanted. Conventional seed treatment systems are generally held by thislimitation of applying product on the outside of the seed as a coating.However, if product can be applied in the furrow there can besubstantial advantages. Certain embodiments of this invention providethese advantages. In some embodiments, agricultural products are notapplied directly onto the seed itself as a seed treatment. Instead theyare applied in the zone of the seed, i.e. in the furrow. In someembodiments, features provide the ability to provide this placement. Theseed itself is not required to be treated. Instead, the soil is treated.Use of seed coatings result in equipment problems, germinationproblems/complications, reduced seed viability, length of seed storageissues, etc. With the present invention minimization of seed as acarrier is provided. Many more options are provided to the farmerobviating issues regarding storing the seed from year to year.

Although the system for dispensing agricultural products at a low rateof the present invention has been discussed relative to its placement ona planter row unit, the system can be positioned on a planter off of therow unit. It can be placed on another part of the frame of the planterdue to, for example space restrictions, preventing it from being placeddirectly on the planter row unit.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an example display (i.e., user interfacescreen) for a controller for pulsing the liquid valve 48 and the airvalve 36 is illustrated, designated generally as 174. The display 174can be part of the in cab monitor 50 or a stand-alone controller. Ontime is the time the valve is applying product each time the valve istriggered. Off time is how long the valve is off when running in thecheck or calibration by pushing the “Start/Stop” Button. The Start/Stopbutton runs the valve without a seed signal according to the on and offtime settings. This is used for timing and marking the pulse locationfor the physical setup when the planter is running in the stationarymode (i.e. still in the shop). If the operator marks where the seed hitsthe bottom of the furrow he can line up where the agricultural productis applied in relation to the seed. Due to the low rates, multiplepulses are needed to get enough volume to see where the agriculturalproduct is applied. While in the “Burst mode” the operator can putmultiple spots down rather than a continuous strip. For example, theoperator can pulse in multiple bursts adjusted by one millisecond timingon and off according to the on/off settings in a 2 inch strip. Theresult is still a continuous line of treatment but in multiple bursts.The multiple bursts are triggered by the seed. The cycle settingdetermines how many times the valves fires On/Off during when the seedtriggering of the valve to fire. In other if the cycle time is set for 2cycles, the valve will go on, then off, go on, then off.

The liquid input supply can come from any liquid supply system. Thesettings on the supply controller can be set for the ounces per acre.Then the supply controller can maintain the flow as the speed changes.Normally with a common fixed orifice spray type tip the spray pressurehas to increase about 4 to 1 to double the flow. Technologies are nowknown to increase the flow range without as much pressure change. One isa new sprayer tip with a flexible orifice. It is made of a flexiblematerial that the orifice opening expands as the pressure increases. Itis similar to a rubber nipple on a baby bottle. The other possibility ismodifying a common sprayer check valve. The standard check valve is juston/off and designed not to affect the flow control of the spray tip.Using a modified design of the standard type gas/liquid pressureregulator we can replace the ball in the check valve with a cone shapedneedle held in place by a spring. As the pressure increase the flowincreases without a large pressure increase. This modification caneither be a standalone added device in supply line or incorporated intothe variable rate flow tip.

Using the techniques above:

-   -   1. High speed pulsing within the target area    -   2. Flexible orifice    -   3. Modified check valve spray tip

Various methods may be utilized to increase the range of ounce per acrewithout large increases supply pressure.

In some embodiments a common signal can fire multiple valvessimultaneously.

Information from a closed delivery container's RFID tag may be combinedwith the application equipment's spatial positioning information tocreate and store, on a memory device that is separate and distinct fromthe container's RFID Tag, a geo-referenced record that indicatesprecisely where and/or when product from the container was dispensed andapplied.

Application systems such as marketed by Capstan Ag Systems, Inc. underthe trademark “Seed-Squirter™” and by Reynolds AG Solutions, LLC. (360Yield Center) under the trademark “360 Dash™” synchronize application ofliquid agricultural inputs with planted seeds at product applicationrates which normally exceed 0.367 fluid ounces per linear row foot,using the process of interrupted input application between seeds inorder to provide a per-linear row food dose rate of the applied input inthe zone of biological efficacy that is consistent with the dose-ratethat would have been applied to the entire furrow length if theapplication were not interrupted between seeds as a consequence of thesynchronized application process. Neither the “Seed-Squirter” nor the“Dash” system provide the ability of applying liquid crop input productformulations that provide biological efficacy at the low and/orultra-low application rates (I.e., less than 0.367 fluid ounces perlinear row foot). Some liquid crop inputs are not suitable forapplication using low or ultra-low application rates per linear rowfoot, however, for crop input products that can deliver biologicalefficacy at such low rates, if those input products were to be appliedusing methods similar to those utilized by “Seed Squirter” or “Dash”systems, the desired or intended biological effect would not be realizedat the application volumes produced with these systems if those systemswere calibrated to apply the products at rates of less than 0.367 fluidounces per linear foot, because the application rate of liquid inputswith those systems needs to exceed 0.367 fluid ounces per linear rowfoot, in order for the application equipment to operate as intended.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, an embodiment of a system fordispensing agricultural products with seed is illustrated utilizing aseed brush assembly, designated generally as 176. In this overall systema control system, examples including numeral designations 178, receivesone or more control inputs from tractor and planter sensors, asdescribed above relative to FIGS. 1 and 2. A seed transport mechanism180 is affixed to the seed planter unit 182 and is configured todispense seed. The seed transport mechanism 180 may be, for example, aseed tube, seed belt or a belt with brushes, or other implement totransport the seed to the proximity of the ground. An agriculturalproduct supply system is configured to dispense liquid agriculturalproducts in response to an output signal from the control system 178.The agricultural product supply system may comprise a control valve 184.The control valve 184 may be a pulsing valve. The agricultural productsupply system may comprise a pump, as discussed above with respect toFIG. 12. If the rate is sufficiently low the pump does not require apulsing valve. The seed brush assemblies described herein are useful fordispensing low rate agricultural product in a range of between about 1.0and 7.0 fluid ounces per linear acre. (The range is more typicallybetween about 2.0 and 6.0 fluid ounces per linear acre.)

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, the seed brush assembly 176 is shownmounted under the seed transport mechanism 180. In this embodiment theseed brush assembly 176 is embodied as a seed chute (i.e. slide)assembly 176 that includes a brush housing structure 183 having twoopposing side elements 184, 186 and a floor element 188. The brushhousing (i.e. slide) structure 183 receives seed from the seed transportmechanism 180. A top brush 190 is positioned in the brush housingstructure 183. A bottom brush 192 is positioned between the top brush190 and the floor element 188.

As shown in FIG. 18, the agricultural product control valve 184 isconfigured to dispense the agricultural products onto the top brush 190.It can, in other embodiments dispense the agricultural products onto thebottom brush 192. In other embodiments the agricultural products can bedispensed onto both the top brush 190 and the bottom brush 192. In anyof these embodiments the agricultural product 194 is applied to thebrushes onto the seed when the seed is dispensed prior to hitting theground 196. (It is noted that even if the agricultural product is onlydispensed directly onto the top brush it will migrate to the bottombrush.)

FIG. 19 shows a seed 198 being brushed with agricultural product. FIG.20 shows the seed 198 hitting the ground 196.

In one embodiment, use of the seed brush assembly combines the use ofthe in-furrow synchronization process discussed above with the absorbentbrushes that are sprayed with a pulse of liquid agricultural product(seed treatment chemical) before each seed passes through the brushes.In a preferred embodiment, pulse spray bursts that are timed withindividual seeds are not required. Liquid is continuously transferred tothe bristles at a very low rate, obviating the need for pulsed spraysthat are synchronized with individual seeds.

The synchronization process requires the pulsed spray burst to be timedso that an individual seed lands anywhere within the length of eachpulsed spray. That is normally about 1 to 1.5 inches long. As long asthe seed lands within the area that was covered by the spray droplets,the seed will be protected.

Most individual corn, cotton, and soybean seeds are under a half inch inmaximum dimension. It is much easier to spray a 1 to 1.5 inch long stripinto the furrow and let the seed fall into the treated zone, than it isto hit a moving seed that is, for example, only an eighth-of-an inch insize. In certain embodiments, to deliver adequate protection to thecrop, the pulsed spray burst is timed as closely as possible with eachseed. The brushes receive and then let the seed pass through the treatedbrushes. Thus, for example, if the spray burst precedes the seed byseveral milliseconds, the seed still receives a substantially full doseof chemical, and if it's too late, the seed passes through without asynchronized burst hitting it, but it still receives a good dose ofchemical, based on the residual chemical that didn't get wiped onto thepreceding seed.

The brushes in some embodiments may have bristles. In other embodimentsthe brushes may use foam pads, fiber pads, or other implements.

Thus, the seed brush assembly includes a top brush positioned in theslide structure and at least one bottom brush positioned between the topbrush and the floor element.

In a preferred embodiment, and shown in FIGS. 15 and 18 the seed brushassembly is positioned between the opening discs (one of which is showndesignated 206) which are between the depth wheels 200, 202 of theplanter. The seed brush assembly may be held, for example, by a bracket204 that is attached to a portion of the frame of the planter.

In this embodiment, using a seed brush assembly, where liquid cropinputs are applied directly to individual seeds before they reach thefurrow, as opposed to treating the furrow soil itself, it's moreaccurate to describe the rate of liquid applied to each seed, ratherthan describing the rate of liquid applied per linear distance. Whenliquid application is limited to individual seeds before each seedreaches the furrow, the total application volume of liquid agriculturalinputs per linear acre is reduced yet again by such a significant factorfrom the low and/or ultra-low application rates previously describedthat, when expressed in fluid ounces per linear acre, the number ofzeros to the right side of the decimal in such a small number increasesthe complexity of working with said numbers, due to the potential forsignificant errors if a zero is inadvertently missed or added.Additionally, when treating individual seeds, rather than treating astrip of furrow length, the actual amount of liquid that is applied perlinear distance is truly a function of the number of seeds that areplanted per linear distance. That means the volume of liquid that isapplied per linear distance will go up or down in direct correlationwith seeding population increases or decreases. Consequently, regardingthe present invention, it is useful to express the volume of appliedliquid in milligrams per seed rather than in terms of the volume ofproduct applied per linear row foot. The following table illustrates amathematical process for use in calculating the application rate inmilligrams per treated seed when using the present invention.

TABLE 2 43,560.00 Square Feet/acre 30.00 Inch row spacing 2.50 Feetbetween rows 17,424.00 Row Feet/acre 12.00 Inches/foot 209,088.00 Inchfeet/acre 35,000.00 SEEDING RATE PER ACRE 5.97 Inches between seeds 2.01Seeds per linear row foot 5,280.00 Feet/mile 60.00 Seconds/minute 88.00Feet/minute = 1 MPH 10.00 MPH = Planting Speed 880.00 Feet/minute @Planting Speed 14.67 Feet/second @ Planting Speed 176.00 Inches/second @Planting Speed 29.46 Seeds planted per second (by a single row unit)1,767.68 Seeds planted minute (by a single row unit) 19.80 Minutesrequired to plant 1 linear acre at Planting Speed 3.03 Linear acresplanted per hour 1,000.0000 Row feet basis used in AMVAC Low/Ultra-lowApplication Rate Patent AME 004 128.0000 Fluid ounces per gallon 2.0000Fluid ounces per LINEAR acre = Syringe Pump TARGET APPLICATION RATE *0.0001 Fluid ounces per linear row foot 0.1148 Fluid ounces per 1,000linear row feet 0.1010 Fluid ounces applied per minute 60.0000 Minutesper hour 6.0606 Fluid ounces applied per hour 29.5700 Grams per fluidounce of water (changes by liquid, based on weight of liquid per fluidounce) 179.2121 Grams of water applied per hour 1,000.0000 Milligramsper gram 179,212.1212 Milligrams of water applied per hour 59,140.0000Milligrams of water applied per linear acre 1.6897 Milligrams of waterapplied per seed

Not all in-furrow application of agricultural inputs should be displacedusing this seed slide assembly, as such application will be limited toliquid agricultural inputs that have the ability to produce the intendedor desired biological efficacy when applied in such a manner. Some cropinputs that are applied in-furrow don't lend themselves to use as seedtreatment, without regard to the method of application used to treat theseed. One such example is Counter 20G, with the active ingredientterbufos. While terbufos has been safely and effectively used for manyyears as an in-furrow granular insecticide/nematicide, it is highlytoxic to humans and all mammals. Dermal exposure to even very low doserates of the active ingredient in liquid form can be fatal, so theactive ingredient in liquid form is impregnated onto dry granules inorder to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects in the event of dermalexposure. The risk of dermal absorption of terbufos from an impregnatedgranule is greatly reduced versus exposure to the same quantity ofproduct in liquid form. The risk of dermal exposure to workers whohandle seed is too great to pre-treat the seed with terbufos.Additionally, the per-seed or seedling dose-rate of terbufos that isrequired to produce systemic protection within the plant is greater thancan be delivered to the plant when applied as a seed treatment.Elemental nitrogen and/or other macro-nutritional/fertilizer productsare examples of crop inputs that don't lend themselves to use as seedtreatments because the dose rate required to produce the desiredbiologic effect is greater than can be applied as a seed treatment. Ittherefore becomes necessary to apply these products to the soil, whichallows them to be solubilized into the soil solution and absorbed ortaken up by the seedling roots in order to realize the intended biologiceffect.

Referring now to FIG. 21 another type of pump that can be utilized toprovide low rate liquid agricultural products is a peristalic pump, alsoknown as a hose pump, designated generally as 207. The peristalic pumpincludes a rotor 208 with pump rollers 210, 212 mounted thereon. Therollers 210, 212 squeeze a tube (hose) 214 positioned between an inlet216 and an outlet 218 to generate flow of the agricultural product. Suchperistalic metering pumps are marketed by, for example, Grainger, underthe brand name Stenner. Such a peristalic metering pump is described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,182,241 B2, entitled PERISTALTIC PUMPING MECHANISMHAVING A REMOVABLE COVER AND REPLACEABLE TUBING, ROLLERS AND PUMPINGMECHANISM. Use of a peristalic pump may be advisable when the liquidagricultural product is relatively viscous during low rate applications.FIG. 21 schematically illustrates use of a hose pump 207 having anoutlet 218 operably connected to a conduit 220 which dispenses theagricultural product in the desired location relative to a seed brushassembly 222.

Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23 another embodiment of the system fordispensing liquid agricultural products with seed is illustrated inwhich the agricultural product supply system, designated generally as224, comprises an agricultural product supply tube (line or hose) 226having an exit port 228 in contact with a brush 230. Thus, theagricultural product is released directly onto the brush 230. Theagricultural product supply system 224 may include a bracket 232attached to the frame.

Referring now to FIG. 24, another embodiment of the system fordispensing liquid agricultural products with seed is illustrated inwhich the seed brush assembly, designated generally as 234, includes abrush housing structure 236 for receiving seed from the seed transportmechanism; and a brush having bristles 238 positioned within the brushhousing structure 236. The brush housing structure 236 is preferably atube assembly including a tube. Brushes (bristles 238) are positionedaround a portion of its inner surface. (The portion of tube havingbristles may, include substantially all of the tube.) The agriculturalproduct supply system includes a supply line from the pump to thestructure that houses the bristles. The supply line terminates with anoutput orifice(s) which, in one embodiment may be one or more spraynozzles 242, 244. In other embodiments, the liquid drips or streams fromthe supply line output orifice(s). The bristles 238 are positioned insuch a manner as to minimize the resistance or drag on the seed 240 asit passes through the wetted bristles 238. Each supply line outputorifice delivers liquid from the supply line to the bristles in thetube. The bristles 238 are coated and the seeds 246 pick up the liquidcrop input as they pass through the bristles and exit the tube 236. Thebristles are configured such that the effect of brush interference onseed placement in the furrow is limited to no more than one standarddeviation of what the in-furrow seed spacing would be without thepresence of the seed brush assembly. Thus, liquid agricultural productis transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed passes thebrushes during the planting process.

Crop yield, particularly in corn, may be influenced by seed singulationand spacing. The most significant yield losses occur when ‘skips’ occurat the planter meter, which result in no seed being planted. Thiscreates a total yield loss for that potential plant. Overplanting withdoubles or crowding plants through poor singulation will also causereductions in yield. As a general rule of thumb, a standard deviation oftwo inches is acceptable for well-maintained traditional planters andwill result in minimal yield impacts in corn. In 2019, Iowa StateUniversity (ISU) completed a five-year study of high-speed planterequipment in corn and soybeans. The study utilized a 12-row planterequipped with the Precision Planting Speed Tube high speed plantersystem and a 24-row planter equipped with the John Deere ExactEmergehigh speed planter system. Both planters utilized individual rowhydraulic downforce and were tested using a side-by-side strip trialexperimental design. Each planter was used on approximately 400 acresper year. Additionally, a third planter with a standard drop tube seeddelivery system was included in select fields for seed spacingcomparisons. In the ISU study, both high speed planters tested showedconsistent and distinctive corn spacing at all speeds tested.Traditional drop tube planters exhibited a noticeable trend in reducedspacing consistency when speeds increased from 5 to 10 miles per hour.Used in combination with a high speed planter that is similar to thoseused in the ISU study, it has been demonstrated that the currentinvention can successfully apply the desired dose-rate of milligrams perseed to individually planted seeds, without adversely affecting theISU-described standard deviation of corn and soybean seed spacing, whenoperating at speeds of 10 MPH. While the ability to apply the desireddose-rate to individual seeds is essential in order to obtain thedesired level of biologic efficacy associated with the applied liquid,biologic value from the treatment will be diminished if the applicationprocess disrupts or adversely affects seed spacing, for the reasonsdescribed in the ISU study. Therefore, the ability to deliver theintended dose rate of crop input to each seed, before it enters the seedfurrow, as it's being planted, while allowing the planted seeds to bespaced in a manner that falls within the standard deviation of seedspacing that occurs when the current invention is not in operation oreven present on the planter, is a significant achievement which makesfeasible the practice of treating individual seeds with ultra-low doserate liquid crop inputs while planting. In one embodiment, theagricultural product supply system is configured to dispense liquidagricultural products at a dose rate defined as between about 0.5 mg and8.0 mg per seed. As expressed in other units this a dose rate betweenabout 0.00003 and 0.0005 fluid ounces per linear row foot on corn thatis planted at 35,000 seeds per acre, with row spacing of 30 inches.

Most planted corn (maize) seed in the United States is treated with oneor more agricultural inputs prior to the seed's use as planting seed.Insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, inoculants, plant healthpromoters, micronutrients, nitrogen fixers, and/or soil and plantmicrobe enhancers are examples of the types and kinds of agriculturalinputs that can be applied to seed before being transferred to plantingequipment for use as planting seed. This list of seed-appliedagricultural inputs is not exhaustive and other types of products notlisted are also applied to corn seed prior to use as planting seed. Cornseed is described herein as an example, but many other types of plantingseed, such as cotton, soybeans, wheat, rice, canola, and peanuts arealso treated with agriculture inputs prior to use as planting seed, asare a multitude of other crops which are not listed. Scientificexperimentation has demonstrated that very low dose rates of certainagricultural inputs can deliver economically advantageous biologicalefficacy when applied directly to seed before the seed is planted. Theproduct marketed as Avicta® Complete Corn 500 by Syngenta CropProtection, LLC, is an example of a liquid formulation of anagricultural input that is applied to planting seed as a seed treatmentin conformity with US-EPA regulations pertaining to the use of seedtreatments for planting seed. Avicta Complete Corn 500 is aco-formulated product that consists of six different active ingredients,along with a carrier fluid, emulsifiers, and various proprietary agentsneeded to enable the multiple active ingredients to be formulated andused as a coformulated product. Avicta Complete Corn 500 is only oneexample of many different liquid agricultural inputs that are applied tovarious types of crop seed before the seed is planted.

The directions for use for Avicta® Complete Corn 500 instruct users toapply this product to corn seed at a rate of 11.4 fluid ounces perhundredweight (CWT) of seed, based on an average seed count of 1,800seeds per pound. The same directions for use for this product state thatwhen the product is applied at the recommended use-rate of 11.4 fluidounces per CWT of seed, a corresponding rate of 0.784 milligrams ofactive ingredient will be applied to each seed, where the 0.784milligrams of combined active ingredient consists of the following:0.220 mg abamectin, 0.500 mg thiamethoxam, 0.0025 mg azoxystrobin,0.0065 mg fludioxonil, 0.0050 mg mefenoxam, and 0.050 mg thiabendazole.The Avicta® Complete Corn 500 product label also states that one fluidounce of Avicta Complete Corn 500 contains 3.52 grams abamectin, 0.04grams azoxystrobin, 0.10 grams fludioxonil, 0.08 grans mefenoxam, 0.80grams thiabendazole, and 7.97 grams thiamethoxam, for a combined totalof 12.51 grams active ingredient per fluid ounce.

Avicta® Complete Corn 500 is normally applied to corn seed as a seedtreatment product using a drum treater in which an appropriate volume ofthe Avicta Complete Corn 500 formulation is sprayed as a liquid into arotating drum that contains an appropriate quantity of seed to enableeach seed to be coated with a quantity of Avicta Complete Corn 500 thatdelivers 0.784 milligrams of combined active ingredient per seed.

In certain instances, where, for example, there is possibility ofclogging, a syringe pump such as that described above may not be thebest choice. In such instances a different type of pump, such as aperistalic pump (i.e. hose pump), discussed above, may be a preferabledelivery mechanism.

If corn seed that has been pre-treated in a drum treater with Avicta®Complete Corn 500 as described previously, is planted at a rate of32,000 seeds per acre, a total of 25,088 milligrams of active ingredientper acre will be applied to the acre as a consequence of the plantingprocess. With 1,000 milligrams per gram, 25,088 milligrams equals 25.088grams of active ingredient per acre. 25.088 grams of total activeingredient per acre DIVIDED by 12.51 grams of active ingredient perfluid ounce of Avicta® Complete Corn 500 yields an application rate of2.005 fluid ounces of total liquid Avicta® Complete Corn 500 having beenapplied per acre as a consequence of having planted the seed that wastreated with Avicta® Complete Corn 500.

Liquid Avicta Complete Corn 500 formulated seed treatment can be mixedor diluted with water or other liquid seed treatment products to ensureuniform coverage of each seed as the seed are being rotated within thedrum treater. The directions for use on the Avicta Complete Corn 500 donot define the maximum volume of diluted liquid that can be applied tothe seed during the treating process. Normal seed treating practicesdictate that the total volume of liquid applied to the seed during theseed treating process should be limited to no more than necessary inorder to ensure the seed is dry enough to prevent seed from clumping orsticking together and causing bridging or seed decay when the seed isplaced into packaging for storage and delivery prior to being used asplanting seed. In the preceding example, therefore, no additionaldilutants are included in the example in which the total volume ofliquid agricultural input per acre is calculated, as the intent of theexample is to provide an example of the low range of total liquid volumeper acre that is applied as a consequence of planting pre-treated seed.However, the actual amount of liquid-per-acre that's applied topre-treated planting seed can be higher or lower than described in theexample, and will be affected if dilutants are included, if theuse-rates of seed treatment products or formulations other than AvictaComplete Corn 500 are used, if different planting rates are used, and/orif planting seed of crops other than corn.

Two fluid ounces of liquid agricultural input per acre as described inthe previous example translates to 0.0001147 fluid ounces of liquid perlinear row foot on corn that is planted with row spacing of 30 inches.(Two fluid ounces divvied by the 17,424 linear row feet per acre in 30inch row spacings) 0.0001147 fluid ounces per acre represents anapproximate 97% reduction in total application volume per acre versusthe low-rate liquid application volume per acre described in previousembodiments in which a seed brush assembly is not utilized, and anadditional incremental liquid rate per acre reduction of approximately29% versus the 0.00367 ultra-low rate application volume also describedin previous embodiments where a synchronized pulse or spray-burst ofliquid is applied in close proximity to the seed as it's being plantedinto the seed furrow.

In one example, a dosage rate of approximately 3.0 fluid ounces perlinear acre is utilized rather than the 2.0 fluid ounces/acreapplication, based on the stated seeding population and the 30 inch rowspacing. In this example, the agricultural product supply system isconfigured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural product at a rate ofapproximately 0.00017218 fluid ounces of liquid per linear row foot (orapproximately 2.5346 milligrams of liquid per individual seed) on cornthat is planted at 35,000 seeds per acre.

Use of the seed brush assembly provides the ability to treat plantingseeds during the planting process, obviating the need for these seeds tobe pre-treated in a drum treater prior to being transferred into aplanter for use as planting seed. This is provided by applying anultra-low dose rate of liquid to each seed as it is being planted, butbefore it's positioned in the seed furrow, where the dose rate that isapplied by this invention during the planting process, is comparable tothe per-seed dose rate that is applied when seed are pre-treated with adrum treater or similar type of seed treating device. This issignificant because this invention is able to apply such low liquidvolumes while the seed is being planted, and the means by which it doesso results in the desired or intended biological effect being realized,when the applied product is capable of producing a desired biologicaleffect when applied at the incredibly low per-seed dose rate that ispossible with this system. Multiple active ingredients can be appliedsimultaneously via this invention when the active ingredients arecoformulated together and housed in a single product container, ormultiple liquid products from separate containers can be appliedsimultaneously using this invention via the utilization of separateproduct supply lines from the product containers to the seed brushassembly.

The seed brush assembly described above in various embodiments can beutilized in conjunction with the synchronization techniques, asdiscussed above. In some instances, it is beneficial to brush the seedfollowed by a synchronized spray of liquid or deposit of granules intothe furrow.

An automatically generated electronic record that indicates preciselywhere product from an RFID-tagged container was applied eliminates, forthe user, the requirement to record by hand the application informationassociated with product which was dispensed from the RFID-taggedcontainer, while also eliminating the potential for human errorassociated with hand-written or hand-entered notes or records.

An automatically generated electronic record that indicates preciselywhich product, the quantity of product, and the location at whichproduct was dispensed from an RFID-tagged container ensures that allproduct applied from such containers is recorded in a uniformlyconsistent manner. Because the information that identifies the appliedproduct will come from the coded information on the container's RFIDtag, all product that is applied from containers with that same code maybe recorded using information that is recorded in the same format. Suchuniformity of data makes it easier, faster, and more accurate toaggregate and analyze application data from multiple containers, users,and locations. Accurate and cost-effective analysis of aggregated dataenables better and more precise use-recommendations for futureapplication of the same product.

The system may update various “as applied” data in the tag in additionto the product quantity data as the product is being dispensed from thecartridge. The as-applied data may, for example, include any one or moreof the following, in any combination:

-   -   an identifier of the product being dispensed by the cartridge;    -   the rate at which the product is being dispensed by the        cartridge;    -   the current location of the cartridge; and    -   the current time.

Any of the data disclosed herein, such as the as-applied data, mayinclude one or more timestamps indicating one or more times associatedwith the data, such as a time at which the data was captured, created,or transmitted. Similarly, any of the data disclosed herein, such as theas-applied data, may include geographic information, such as geographiccoordinates indicating a location associated with the data, such as alocation at which the data was captured, created, or transmitted. Anysuch geographic information may, for example, be obtained automatically,such as by using GPS technology. The system may, for example, include aGPS module (not shown), such as described by Wintemute et al. in U.S.Patent Application Pub. No. 2017/0265374A1, for example, which generatesoutput representing a current location of the system. Time may also beprovided remotely such as via the GPS signal or through a separate clockor other time-keeping device. The system may use the output of such aGPS module to generate and store any of the location data disclosedherein. Embodiments of the present invention may correlate various datawith each other using any of the timestamps and/or geographicinformation disclosed herein. For example, any two units of data havingthe same or similar timestamp may be correlated with each other.Similarly, any two units of data having the same or similar geographiclocation may be correlated with each other.

One reason to transmit and store the as-applied data over time is toenable the server to create an “as-applied map” of the product as it isactually applied to the field over time. The system may, for example,apply the product based on pre-selected data represented by aprescriptive map, which indicates the amount of the product that isintended to be applied at each of a variety of locations in the field.An as-applied map, and a prescriptive map are described below. Thesystem may then vary the rate at which the product is applied atdifferent locations in the field, in an attempt to apply, at each suchlocation, the amount of the product that the prescriptive map specifiesshould be applied at that location. The actual amount of the productthat the system applies at any particular location in the field may,however, deviate from the amount that the prescriptive map indicatesshould be applied. The system may use the measurements of the actualamounts of the product that were applied at various locations in thefield to create an as-applied map for the product. The system may thencompare the prescriptive map to the as-applied map to identify anyvariations between the amount of the product that was prescribed to beapplied at each of a plurality of locations and the amount of theproduct that was actually applied at each of those locations.

One advantage of the techniques disclosed above for tracking changes inuse of product stored in each cartridge, such as changes in the quantityof the product over time, is that these techniques may be performed inreal-time, i.e., while quantities of the product are being added toand/or dispensed from the cartridge. The term “real-time,” as usedherein in connection with tracking changing quantities of the product,refers to tracking such changes and repeatedly updating the tagaccordingly, at repeated intervals without a substantial delay betweenthe change in the quantity or other use parameter of the product and theresulting update(s) to the corresponding product use data in the tag(e.g., the product quantity data and/or the product type data).

Another advantage of the techniques disclosed above for tracking changesin the quantity of the product over time is that these techniques may beperformed automatically, i.e., without human intervention. For example,existing systems typically require the human operator of a tractor orplanter to manually record the amount of product that has been appliedto a field. This manual process has a variety of drawbacks. For example,manual recording of product application is prone to error for a varietyof reasons, such as the difficulty of manually measuring the amount ofproduct that has been dispensed and limitations in the operator'smemory. As another example, manual recording of product application isprone to intentional fraud. As yet another example, manual recording canrequire a significant amount of effort, which may result in delays inthe recording process. Embodiments of the present invention address allof these problems. For example, embodiments of the present invention maytrack changes in the product in the cartridge (such as changes in thetype of the product, increases in the quantity of the product, anddecreases in the quantity of the product) automatically, i.e., withoutrequiring manual human input. Such automatic tracking may be performed,for example, in the operation of filling the cartridge), the operationof updating the tag as the product is being dispensed, and the operationof updating the as-applied data. This automatic tracking eliminates theneed for the human operator to perform tracking manually and therebyavoids all of the problems of manual tracking described above.Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may even prohibit thehuman operator from manually recording or modifyingautomatically-recorded information (such as the product quantity data,product type data, cartridge ID, and as-applied data), thereby botheliminating the risk of inadvertent human error and the risk ofintentional fraud.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may track and recordproduct-related data both automatically and in real-time. Thiscombination of features enables changes in the type and quantity of theproduct to be tracked more quickly, easily, and reliably than existingsystems which rely on manual human input. For example, by automaticallymonitoring the rates at which the product is applied in variouslocations over time, by tying such information to the ID of thecartridge that dispensed the product, and by transmitting all such datato the server for storage in the measurement data, embodiments of thepresent invention may create an as-applied map of the product asactually applied to the field, all without the involvement of theoperator or farmer. Such capabilities provide real inventory managementbenefits to the manufacturers of the product and to the supply chainbetween the manufacturer and the end user of the cartridge. Furthermore,these features eliminate the burden of having to store the as-applieddata locally (e.g., in a flash drive or other physical medium) and thento physically transport it to a computer, by enabling the as-applieddata to be transmitted wirelessly, automatically, and in real-time tothe server.

The ability to generate an as-applied map automatically enables theagricultural products that were applied to specific crops to be trackedwithout being dependent on manual reporting from farmers for veracity oraccuracy. This ability to track which products were applied toindividual crops, independently of farmer reporting, is particularlyuseful for satisfying demands from consumers to know which products wereapplied to the foods they purchase and for satisfying the need ofregulatory agencies and food processors to obtain access tofield-specific agricultural product use.

The product retailer/supplier invoices the farmer for the amount ofproduct used by the farmer from the cartridge, or rather than chargingfor the quantity of product removed from the container, the invoicemight be based on the number of acres or area that is pre-identified viaa geospatial prescription, to be treated with the product. Thisinvoicing process may be performed in any of a variety of ways. Forexample, the cartridge interface device may include a product usedetermination module. In general, the product use determination modulemay determine the amount of product that was used by the farmer (e.g.,the amount of product that was dispensed from the cartridge and/or thetotal area or rows in fields treated with the product) since thecartridge was acquired by the farmer, since the cartridge was lastfilled, or since the farmer was last invoiced for use of the productand/or cartridge. The product use determination module may product anoutput signal representing this amount of the product used.

The product use determination module may produce the product use amountsignal in any of a variety of ways. For example, the tag reader mayproduce, based on the data read by the tag reader from the tag, a readdata signal representing some or all of the data read by the tag readerfrom the tag. The read data signal may, for example, represent all dataread by the tag reader from the tag. If the read data already includesdata representing an amount of the product used by the farmer, then theproduct use determination module may identify this amount in the readdata signal and output that amount in the product use amount signal. Asanother example, if the read data signal includes data representing aprevious amount of the product in the cartridge (e.g., the amount of theproduct that was contained in the cartridge when the farmer previouslyobtained or filled the cartridge with the product) and data representingthe current amount of the product in the cartridge, then the product usedetermination module may calculate the difference between these twoamounts and output the resulting difference (e.g., current amount minusprevious amount) in the product use amount signal.

The product use determination module may calculate an invoice amountbased on the identified amount of the product used, in any of a varietyof ways, and output an invoice amount signal representing the calculatedinvoice amount. For example, the product use determination module mayidentify a unit price of the product (e.g., price per unit of volume,mass, length of rows treated, and/or areas of fields treated) andmultiply the unit price by the amount (e.g., volume, mass, length orarea) of product used (represented by the product use amount signal) toproduce a product representing the invoice amount, which the product usedetermination module may include in the invoice amount signal.

The product use determination module may identify the unit price of theproduct in any of a variety of ways. For example, the product usedetermination module may identify the type of the product, such as byidentifying the type of the product based on the product type data, asread by the tag reader from the tag and included in the read data. Theproduct use determination module may identify the unit price of theproduct based on the type of the product, such as using the product typeto look up a corresponding unit price in a mapping (e.g., databasetable) of product types to unit prices.

Regardless of how the amount of product actually used is calculated,charging the farmer only for the amount of the product that the farmeractually used may both reduce the cost of each cartridge use for thefarmer and encourage the farmer to use the cartridge because of theknowledge that the price the farmer will pay for the cartridge will belimited by the amount of the product that the farmer actually uses.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs),General Purpose Processors (GPPs), Microcontroller Units (MCUs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software/and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one skilled in the art in light ofthis disclosure.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that themechanisms of some of the subject matter described herein may be capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunication link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.).

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devisedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

1. A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed,comprising: a control system for receiving at least one control input; aseed transport mechanism affixed to a seed planter row unit, configuredto dispense seed; an agricultural product supply system configured todispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from saidcontrol system; a seed brush assembly, comprising: a) a brush housingstructure for receiving seed from the seed transport mechanism; and, b)a brush having bristles positioned within said brush housing structure;wherein said agricultural product supply system is configured todispense said liquid agricultural products onto the bristles, whereinsaid bristles are positioned and configured to minimize the resistanceassociated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles, and,wherein said liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushesonto the seed when the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting theground.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bristles are positionedand configured such that the effect of brush interference on seedplacement in a furrow is limited to no more than one standard deviationof what the in-furrow seed spacing would be without the presence of theseed brush assembly.
 3. The system of claim 1, further including: a seedsensing device configured to sense placement of seed from a planter;and, a pulsing system operatively coupled to an output end of at leastone agricultural product tube and to said seed sensing device andconfigured to synchronize the placement of low rate agriculturalproducts relative to the placement of seed.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein said agricultural product supply system comprises a productcontainer, a pump in fluid communication with said container, and asupply line in fluid communication with said pump.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said agricultural product supply system comprises asingle output orifice.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein saidagricultural product supply system comprises a plurality of outputorifices.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said agricultural productsupply system comprises a pump comprising a syringe pump.
 8. The systemof claim 1, wherein said agricultural product supply system comprises apump comprising a peristalic pump.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one control input comprises geopositioning information.10. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one control inputcomprises agricultural product information from an RFID tag positionedon an agricultural product container.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one control input comprises flow information from a flowsensor.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said brush housing structurecomprises a tube assembly having said bristles positioned therein. 13.The system of claim 1, wherein said brush housing structure comprises achute assembly having said bristles positioned therein.
 14. The systemof claim 1, wherein said agricultural product supply system isconfigured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural product at a rate ina range of between about 1.0 and 7.0 fluid ounces per linear acre. 15.The system of claim 1, wherein said agricultural product supply systemis configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural product at a rateof approximately 2 fluid ounces per linear acre.
 16. The system of claim1 wherein said seed brush assembly comprises a seed chute assembly,wherein said seed chute assembly comprises, a) said brush housingstructure having two opposing side elements and a floor element, saidslide structure for receiving seed from the seed transport mechanism; b)said brush comprising a top brush positioned in said brush housingstructure; and, c) at least one bottom brush positioned between said topbrush and said floor element wherein said agricultural product supplysystem is configured to dispense said liquid agricultural products ontothe top brush, or the at least one bottom brush, or both said top brushand the at least one bottom brush.
 17. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense liquidlow rate agricultural product at a rate of approximately 2.5346 mg perseed on corn that is planted at 35,000 seeds per acre, with row spacingof 30 inches.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein said agriculturalproduct supply system is configured to dispense liquid low rateagricultural product at a rate of approximately 0.00017218 fluid ouncesof liquid per linear row foot on corn that is planted at 35,000 seedsper acre, with row spacing of 30 inches.
 19. The system of claim 1,wherein said agricultural product supply system is configured todispense liquid agricultural products at a dose rate defined as betweenabout 0.5 mg and 8.0 mg per seed.
 20. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense liquidagricultural products at a dose rate defined as between about 0.00003and 0.0005 fluid ounces per linear row foot on corn that is planted at35,000 seeds per acre, with row spacing of 30 inches.
 21. A system fordispensing liquid agricultural products with seed, comprising: a controlsystem for receiving at least one control input; a seed transportmechanism affixed to a seed planter row unit, configured to dispenseseed; an agricultural product supply system configured to dispenseagricultural products in response to an output signal from said controlsystem; a seed brush assembly, comprising a) a brush housing structurecomprising a tube assembly for receiving seed from the seed transportmechanism; b) brushes positioned around a portion of an inner surfacethe tube assembly, wherein said agricultural product supply system isconfigured to dispense said liquid agricultural products into said tubeassembly, wherein said liquid agricultural product is applied by thebrushes onto the seed when the seed is dispensed prior to the seedhitting the ground.
 22. A system for dispensing liquid agriculturalproducts with seed, comprising: a control system for receiving at leastone control input; a seed transport mechanism affixed to a seed planterrow unit, configured to dispense seed; an agricultural product supplysystem configured to dispense agricultural products in response to anoutput signal from said control system; a seed chute assembly,comprising: a) a brush housing structure having two opposing sideelements and a floor element, said slide structure for receiving seedfrom the seed transport mechanism; b) a top brush positioned in saidbrush housing structure; and, c) at least one bottom brush positionedbetween said top brush and said floor element, wherein said agriculturalproduct supply system is configured to dispense said liquid agriculturalproducts onto the top brush, or the at least one bottom brush, or bothsaid top brush and the at least one bottom brush, wherein said liquidagricultural product is applied by the brushes onto the seed when theseed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.
 23. The systemof claim 22, wherein said agricultural product supply system comprisesan agricultural product supply tube having an exit port in contact withsaid top brush, or the at least one bottom brush, or both said top brushand the at least one bottom brush.
 24. A method for dispensing liquidagricultural products with seed, comprising: a) utilizing a controlsystem for receiving at least one control input; b) dispensing seedutilizing a seed transport mechanism affixed to a seed planter row unit;c) dispensing agricultural products from an agricultural product supplysystem configured to dispense agricultural products in response to anoutput signal from said control system; and, d) utilizing a seedassembly, comprising: a brush housing structure for receiving seed fromthe seed transport mechanism; and a brush having bristles positionedwithin said brush housing structure, wherein said agricultural productsupply system is configured to dispense said liquid agriculturalproducts onto the bristles, wherein said bristles are positioned andconfigured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage ofseed past the wetted bristles, and wherein said liquid agriculturalproduct is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed isdispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.